Back and spinal problems in the horse are a significant cause of poor performance and lost use in horses. The incidence of back pain in the horse is really unknown and the degree it affects horses has not been well studied. Since many horses with primary back pain present without an overt lameness, the condition can be confusing and difficult to diagnose for the veterinarian. Definitive diagnosis of back problems can be difficult given the vague clinical signs and lack of good pathologic reports. This has led to a lot of misinformation, misunderstanding and confusion about the prevalence, diagnosis, and management of spinal disorders and back pain in horses. Given the large number of people with back pain, many owners correlate their own experiencesto their animal's clinical signs causing for even further confusion and misinterpretation. Many horses perform well with underlying, undiagnosed back problems, while others perform poorly with similar issues. The purpose of this presentation is to discuss the diagnosis, and treatment options for spinal causes of poor performance in the sport horse.
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