Using MRI to Detect Lameness in Horses

If you own horses long enough, you will suffer your fair share of lameness woes, even if you do protect your horse’s joints with high-quality joint supplements that contain ingredients such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.

A thorough lameness examination by a veterinarian is the usual starting place on the road to soundness. The examination and flexion tests will likely yield important information regarding the location of the lameness but then what? Even if those techniques pinpoint the problem area, what diagnostic procedure is next—radiography, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)? What tool will provide the most information?

According to veterinary researchers and practitioners at Colorado State University, don’t discount MRI despite the price tag associated with the procedure.^* Researchers stated specifically that MRI should be considered early in the diagnostic process rather than as a last resort.

This recommendation was proposed after the researchers followed 95 horses with acute (≤ 12 weeks) or chronic (> 12 weeks) lameness located below the fetlock joint. All horses underwent MRI and were followed for a minimum of 12 months after the scan. Results showed that significantly more horses with acute lameness were able to return to work compared to those with chronic lameness.

Further, owners were also satisfied with the information gleaned from the MRI. Specifically, 82% of owners with acutely lame horses and 62% of owners with chronically lame horses had a positive opinion of MRI. Those owners reported that “MRI was beneficial for diagnosis and tailoring of treatment plans or in helping to rule out injuries, allowing the owner peace of mind in returning their horses to work.”

“In sum, accurately diagnosing unsoundness will help veterinarians choose the best therapeutic plan, which can improve outcome, and that diagnosis can be achieved promptly by MRI,” relayed Catherine Whitehouse, M.S., a Kentucky Equine Research advisor.

*Koch, D.W., M.F. Barrett, B.R. Jackman, et al. Comparison of lameness outcomes in horses with acute or chronic digital lameness that underwent magnetic resonance imaging. N Z Vet J. In press.