Heartland Equine Hospital’s goal is to keep your horse happy, healthy and performing to their best ability. Our sports medicine services include: pre-purchase exams, lameness exams, and poor performance evaluations.

Pre-purchase exams include a thorough lameness exam, flexion tests and a physical exam. Imaging (radiographs and ultrasound) can then be performed to evaluate any suspect areas. Additional options include blood work, drug testing and airway endoscopy.

Lameness exams involve watching the horse move on multiple surfaces, performing flexion tests and using diagnostic blocks to pinpoint the region causing pain. Digital radiographs and ultrasound are then used to diagnose the problem. Depending on the problem, a treatment plan will be recommended, which may include local therapies, systemic medication and exercise recommendations. Intra-articular (joint) therapies offered include steroid injections, Prostride, IRAP and Noltrex. Regenerative therapies offered include platelet rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow derived stem cell therapy.

Poor performance evaluations may include a lameness exam, muscle enzyme evaluation, upper and lower airway workups or gastroscopy, depending on the horse’s clinical signs.

Heartland Equine Hospital believes preventative care is a critical component to your horse’s health. We offer wellness examinations, vaccinations, dentistry services, and assistance with parasite control.

Digital radiography allows us to take the highest quality radiographs and view them instantly to aid in diagnosing bone, joint and teeth related issues.

Our high quality ultrasound allows us to examine soft tissue structures of the musculoskeletal system, aiding in the diagnosis of many types of soft tissue injuries. Ultrasound also allows for evaluation of the respiratory and abdominal structures, aiding in the diagnosis of pneumonia, liver and kidney problems, umbilical problems (in foals) and gastrointestinal problems.

Video endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows our veterinarians to see inside the horse’s body from their nasal cavities to the stomach (1 and 3 meter scopes) as well as in the bladder. Our video endoscope is equipped with a large monitor, so clients can watch the exam and gain a better understanding of their horse’s health. Endoscopy aids in the diagnosis of upper airway problems, lower airway inflammation and infection, esophagus problems, gastric ulcers and bladder stones and tumors.

We have several different lab tests available on site including: complete blood count, chemistry panel, electrolyte panel and blood gas analysis. We can check IgG (antibody levels) in foals immediately and also run fecal tests for parasites on site. These tests help our veterinarians to reach an accurate diagnosis and quickly develop a treatment plan for your horse.