Lameness is the most frequent source of sub-par performance in equine athletes. Our objective is to identify the cause of lameness or poor performance and design an appropriate treatment and rehabilitation plan. We take into consideration the horse’s history and the owner/rider’s reported complaint, conducting a comprehensive physical exam, gait assessment, flexion tests, and diagnostic nerve or joint blocks to pinpoint the source of lameness. We may also use imaging techniques such as radiography and ultrasound to verify our diagnosis. Our team then fuses all acquired information to formulate a plan tailored to the individual horse and rider/owner.

Whilst we can diagnose most lameness cases at your farm, haul- in cases are encouraged from our local clients and from those outside of our practice area.

Why Digital Radiography?

Our state of the art digital X-ray system provides excellent image quality. We assess the bone structure and joints to accurately diagnose the cause of lameness and determine prognosis. We also use X-rays to follow the progression of an injury or disease process.

Why Digital Ultrasound?

Digital ultrasound uses noninvasive sound waves to form an image of soft tissue structures and boney surfaces. This allows us to identify injuries, determine prognosis, and monitor healing during the course of rehabilitation.

Ultrasound is also used to accurately inject cervical (neck) and thoracolumbar (back) facets, sacroiliac joints, and soft tissue injuries with appropriate therapy.

Endoscopy

Endoscopy is a valuable diagnostic tool in equine lameness evaluations. We offer both upper airway and gastric endoscopy, which allows us to accurately assess your horse’s airway function or diagnose gastric ulcers. An upper airway endoscopy can help identify common performance limiting conditions such as laryngeal hemiplegia (commonly known as “roaring”), dorsal displacement of the soft palate, epiglottic entrapment, and guttural pouch disease.

Treatments

• Therapeutic joint injections
• Ultrasound guided sacroiliac and thoracolumbar injections (back)
• Ultrasound guided cervical facet injections (neck)
• Extracorporeal shockwave therapy
• Mesotherapy

In addition to traditional options, we are excited to be able to offer orthobiologic therapies for treatment of osteoarthritis, joint, and soft tissue injuries. These treatment options allow us to treat your horse with cells and proteins produced by the horse, minimizing the use of medications such as steroids.

Orthobiologic Therapies offered by Harbour Ridge Equine

(for more information on the orthobiologic therapies offered please click the names below)

PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma)

PRP consists of platelets and proteins found in your horse’s blood stream. The platelets and proteins promote healing of injuries, most commonly soft tissue injuries in tendons or ligaments. PRP results in better repair of injured areas, thus increasing the chance of returning to previous levels of work and decreasing the chance of reinjury. We draw blood from your horse and spin it in a centrifuge to isolate the desired product. It is then injected into the injured area.

Prostride or ACT Solution

Autologous cellular therapy, or Prostride, is a product produced from the horse’s own blood within 20 minutes. 60 ml of blood are drawn and put through a patented process that results in 2-3 mls of solution containing anti-inflammatory proteins, including IRAP, PRP, and white blood cells that have been re-programmed to produce more anti-inflammatory proteins and to increase the health of the joint. In early stage osteoarthritis, Prostride therapy has been able to regenerate cartilage. In all stages of osteoarthritis and inflammation, Prostride has been used as a potent anti-inflammatory that improves the health of the joint and increases the comfort of the horses for at least up to one year in most cases.

Alpha 2EQ

Alpha-2-macroglobulin is a large protein found in your horse’s blood. This protein can inhibit factors that lead to cartilage breakdown.

As your veterinarian, we can utilize the AlphaActive process to separate the plasma, then filter and isolate the protein alpha-2-macroglobulin.

When injected, alpha-2-macroglobulin removes the damage-causing enzymes to help improve the healing process and protect against further damage. In most cases, the results of this treatment can be observed within a few days and may last 6-12 months.

IRAP (Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein)

IRAP is a protein produced by your horse’s own body and works by fighting inflammation and helping to control pain. We draw blood from your horse into a syringe containing chromium beads. The syringe is spun in a centrifuge then incubated. The final product (IRAP) is separated and stored in a freezer. We can then inject it into the affected joint(s). IRAP is a useful treatment in management of osteoarthritis with positive results.