Thermal Imaging

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Kelpie

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I'm thinking of having a thermal imaging done on a couple of my horses, partly out of interest as I know they have a few issues so want to see what shows up (and whether anything else shows up that I haven't thought of already as being an issue!) and partly to get a bit of a base line to compare against future checks.

I know that a few of you on here have used thermal imaging before and would be grateful for any feedback on whether you've found it worthwhile/ what it showed up?

Also, can anyone recommend someone that is good at doing it? I'm sure I read on here at some point that someone in the Kent area (near Paddock Wood?) had a good person out to do the thermal imaging but can't remember who so if anyone knows, that would be super as I'm in that area!

Thank you :)
 
I have had it done on my gelding Kelpie. He was rising 15 when the report was done and I wanted to see if there was anything that might cause him problems later on (arthritic changes, muscle problems, etc.). It found a small bone chip in his knee that is nothing to be concerned about, heat and inflammation at the base of his neck and on his right hamstring. I found it really interesting and a useful tool.
 
My horse had a thermal scan a few weeks ago... if I'm honest I think it was a waste of money.
my horse is lame & thermal scan showed up as he had alot of heat in he's hock & was advised to start with getting it x rayed, I did have xrays & all clear vet said they look brilliant on xray.
 
Sorry to hijack, but figgy ok fair enough the X-ray was clean, but regardless of that the image showed you that there is something in the hock that is causing heat and inflammation. It may or may not become a problem, your horse may have whacked his hock on something... But just because the X-ray came back clean, don't dismiss it. It can help show muscle, ligament, tendon and fascia inflammation which don't necessary always show up in X-rays.
 
I had mine thermal imaged a month or so ago, I had nagging thoughts he had back pain as a result of my bad riding (I have severe back pain and was sure I must be affecting him, his canter work is very poor). Last Physio didn't pick up much so out of I trees went for the imaging pre and post riding. Interestingly both images were basically the same, so no difference caused by riding. But big old hot spot over several thoracic vertebrate and across his sacroiliac. I had no idea they were a problem. New Physio out and vet check and both said same thing without having seen images.

I was extremely glad I got it done, it gives me a great visual picture of all the scientific stuff the Physio spoke about and helps me understand a whole lot better why he can't work the way I was asking him to. So we now have a rehab program of massage, stretches, pole work, long reining etc to help strengthen and supple his back, steer us away from kissing spines so he can use himself properly. Seeing it in pictures was a real revelation. I could even feel the heat in his thoracic vertebrate area, which is great as the fact it is not so hot now us hopefully a good sign things are improving.
 
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