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Rossdale & Partners continue to be a world leader
in equine veterinary healthcare for both the local
Thoroughbred industry as well as all types of horses
from across the UK, mainland Europe and other countries
worldwide. They continue to work closely with the
team at Guildford-based Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging
– the experts in Standing Equine MRI Scanning
– to provide their clients with an internationally
renowned and respected MRI facility.
Sarah Powell, a senior assistant at Rossdale &
Partners who runs the MRI and computed tomographic
facility at Rossdales Equine Diagnostic Centre will
undertake the work as part of a Fellowship study,
looking at the susceptibility of the bones of the
fetlock joints to fracture in young Thoroughbreds
in training.
Explains Sarah: “At Rossdale & Partners
we were the first practice to start MRI scanning high
numbers of young Thoroughbreds in training during
their racing careers.
“We quickly realised that MRI scanning could
be more effective in some cases than radiographic
imaging or scintigraphic scanning in terms of helping
to case manage horses in training showing lameness
after fast work, allowing us to detect areas of potential
weakness that might lead to catastrophic fractures
at fast exercise.
“This in turn helped us to develop a plan for
each horse to ensure that they remained in training
when the MRI suggested it was safe to do so and that
those at high risk of fracture were rested appropriately
and entered a recovery programme to help the bones
return to strength once more.
“In an ideal situation we would scan every Thoroughbred
at the very beginning of their training regime and
then as a two and a three-year-old.
“The findings from the MRI scan can indicate
which race horses need to have a break from training
and which can continue safely. This would not only
save lives but also vastly increase our understanding
of this difficult disease process.”
Following the initial feasibility research, some of
which has been reported in an Equine Veterinary Journal
article, the team at Rossdale & Partners, plan
to undertake further and more extensive research in
collaboration with other centres from the autumn onwards.
Jos Belgrave, CEO of Hallmarq MRI added: “We
are delighted with results found so far. By MRI scanning
the fetlocks of young racehorses, this allows trainers
to make the decision as to whether to carry on racing,
to adjust the level of work with a modified programme
for a couple of months, or to give them a rest or
even surgical treatment before the fracture occurs.
”We believe that the use of MRI as part of the
training program will improve both the racing performance
and the welfare of racehorses
“We are very much looking forward to the results
of the next stage of the research which will begin
in the autumn.”
For further information contact
Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging on (01483) 877812 or visit
www.hallmarq.net
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