Table of contents for Practical Horseman Extra Volume 36 in Practical Horseman

I never really wanted an office with a view; I wanted a view for my office. That explains why my window looks out at the Blue Ridge Mountains and why fall is one of my favorite times of the year. By this time I’m a little burned out on competitions, and I’m starting to make plans for the coming year. The leaves are turning, and I’m scheming how to make sure my students win absolutely everything. I know they won’t, but as the song says, “you gotta have a dream,” or “… how you gonna have a dream come true?” I have been thinking about the horses and riders I’ll be working with this year, and it occurred to me some of my riders might need better tools for the…

Radiographs are a normal part of a prepurchase exam, and the parts of a horse’s anatomy you decide to X-ray may depend on his history and intended future use. For instance, you’re likely to look at the front feet and knees of an off-the-track Thoroughbred you hope to event. Alternatively, you may look at the hocks and stifles of a horse who has been jumping for some years if you’re hoping to continue competing him. Radiographs can reveal any number of things, but you shouldn’t get bogged down in one single inconsistency on an X-ray. You have to look at the whole horse. “I try to take the X-rays as one piece of the entire exam,” Dr. Loftin says. “If he’s out showing and winning and is sound on my…

Because osteoarthritis widely varies in how quickly it progresses and the level of pain it produces, a positive diagnosis may mark a different future, depending on the horse. In the case of early-onset osteoarthritis that is progressing slowly, a horse may easily continue his career supported by appropriate joint management. In more acute cases, a horse may need to reduce his workload or compete at a lower level. For older horses, transitioning into retirement may be the best solution. Much of it depends on what the horse’s job is and his level of use. “Let them tell you what they can do. If they are happy working and are comfortable and sound with some maintenance, keep them working. If you can’t keep them comfortable and sound, it may be time…