Following on from our first talk on preparing for AI here we talk about the AI process itself and what is involved for both you and your mare. This is an exciting time but it is not always straightforward. 

This first talk focuses on preparing for breeding with discussions about choosing a stallion, the different types of AI and preparing your mare for AI.

Endoscopy allows veterinary analysis of your horse’s upper airway. Typically this imaging modality is carried out if your horse makes abnormal respiratory noises during exercise or if your vet is concerned about strangles. The most important areas vets usually assess during endoscopy are the larynx, the upper portion of the trachea and the guttural pouches. It is also possible to take tracheal and guttural pouch ‘washes’ which are samples of the upper airway. These can be sent off for further analysis in order to aid diagnosis and treatment of cases. More about Endoscopies Here

This video discusses shockwave therapy. It is a veterinary treatment most commonly used for ligament damage (eg. Proximal suspensory desmitis) and back injuries. The shockwave machine fires sound waves to the specific area where the probe is placed. This increases blood flow to the area and which in turn aids healing. It is also thought to provide some pain relief to the area targeted. More about Shockwave Therapy

Lunging your horse on a deep sand circle means their respiratory and cardiovascular systems work harder and this enables vets to assess the airways and heart in greater detail. It enables us to audibly hear the sounds that your horse’s airways make during exercise and can elicit coughing or nasal discharge if there are problems. We can also assess if there are any changes to the heart rhythm as it is beating faster. Further to this, we can perform an exercising ECG to further diagnose heart abnormalities.

This video discusses how vets prepare for, and shoot digital x-rays, including the safety aspect. As the setup is digital, x-ray images instantly appear on the computer screen and all the equipment is transportable due to being run on battery power. More about Radiography 

This video demonstrates how to lead and trot up your horse effectively in order for your vet to examine them during lameness workups.

This video explains the uses of assessing your horse on both hard and soft lunging circles for effective lameness workups. More on Lameness Here

This video demonstrates how to perform a clinical exam on your horse. This includes assessing their mucous membranes, checking their pulse quality, listening to their heart and lungs and taking both a heart and respiratory rate, and finally checking their rectal temperature.

This video demonstrates how vets perform dental examinations on horses. This includes external examination of the face and jaw bones, fitting the gag, flushing the oral cavity and visual and digital inspection of the mouth itself. The video also discusses use of mechanical dental equipment which is used for grinding down any sharp points on the teeth. More on Dentistry

This video discusses how a vet prepares for a rectal exam in a horse. Typically rectal exams are performed in horses with colic to determine whether there are any abnormalities within the abdomen or for reproductive examinations to assess the mare’s reproductive tract.
This video demonstrates how to effectively control your horse using a nose twitch.
Discusses the disease process behind equine recurrent airway obstruction (RAO), sometimes referred to as ‘heaves’ or equine asthma. It also demonstrates how vets can treat this condition with a ‘flexineb’ nebuliser or a paediatric spacer.
Demonstrates how to feel for digital pulses. All horses have digital pulses present. It is really important to know what a ‘normal’ pulse for your horse is so that you know when the pulses are raised (indicating pain/inflammation of the foot).

This video discusses how gastroscopy is used in order for vets to assess your horse’s stomach. Typically this procedure is carried out when vets are suspicious that gastric ulcers or other abnormalities may be present. The video describes how the gastroscope is passed up your horse’s nose all the way into their stomach. It also highlights the importance of starving your horse prior to a gastroscope and how filling your horse’s stomach with air aids better visualisation and analysis. More about Gastroscopy

Demonstrates how to effectively restrain your horse using a neck twitch and discusses both a single or double handed twitching method.
This video demonstrates how to effectively place a wet poultice on a horse’s foot. Poultices help to ‘draw’ out abscesses from within the hoof capsule. Between changing poultices it is also good to carry out warm water tubbing of your horse’s foot.
This video discusses the use of ultrasonography in order to assess the mare’s reproductive tract. Vets can determine whether any abnormalities are present and can detect when the mare is ready for insemination.

This video demonstrates the act of artificially inseminating a mare with semen. It discusses preparation prior to insemination and carrying out the procedure itself.  More about Artificial Insemination

This video demonstrates how a vet performs a complete examination of your horse’s eye. Starting with assessment of the external structures surrounding the eye including the conjunctiva and third eyelid; then using distant direct ophthalmoscopy followed by close direct ophthalmoscopy to assess internal structures of the eye. This video also highlights the importance of doing an ocular examination in the dark.