The UK’s leading equine health & well-being magazine
October/November 2008 £2.95
New imaging system gives breakthrough By Louise Cordell SCIENTISTS are to get their first glimpse inside a galloping horse’s airway thanks to a revolutionary new imaging system. The Dynamic Respiratory Endoscope lets vets assess live pictures while the animal is moving at full speed and is expected to transform disease diagnosis. The pioneering equipment has been acquired by the University of Glasgow’s Equine Hospital as part of a joint venture with racehorse training firm, Mark Johnston Racing and will be used in the University’s newly launched Performance Horse Clinic. Dr Patrick Pollock, senior clinician in equine surgery, said: “Within the animal kingdom, horses are considered to be elite athletes because of their unique anatomy and physiology. Since they have the ability to perform at such a phenomenally high level, even the smallest change in their health can lead to a reduction in their performance but minute, often subtle changes can be very challenging to detect. To further complicate matters, many of the causes of poor performance can only be detected while the horse is exercising at high speed.” Many causes of poor performance are
related to the respiratory system and a technique called endoscopy, in which a small camera is introduced through the nose and into the airway of the horse, is frequently used to diagnose disease affecting this area. However existing technology only allows a horse to be scoped while it runs on a treadmill, which is expensive, potentially dangerous and is very different to the normal conditions in which horses exercise. Dr Pollock added: “Current methods mean a large number of animals may appear normal on the treadmill, even though they have a significant disease. This new system has many advantages in that it allows horses to be examined in their normal environment under normal exercise conditions and is therefore more likely to result in the correct diagnosis. The system also eliminates much of the cost and all of the dangers associated with the treadmill and is considerably less stressful for the horse.” Top racehorse trainer Mark Johnston said: “The Dynamic Respiratory Endoscope will revolutionise what we know about horses when they are being fully exercised. Understanding the airway of a horse is the key to understanding so much more about them and how they function.”
An equine photographer has won a prestigious industry prize for his unique studio portraits. Gary Coulson of Unicorn Studios in Basildon, Essex received a gold award from the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers for his horse head shots, taken inside a traditional indoor studio. He said: "I've been photographing horses for over ten years but only in the studio since April. So many people wanted head shots I decided to do something
different and take the horses inside. Some people think that they will be upset by the flash, but I’ve found that this isn’t the case. Of course it is new to them, but they don’t seem to find it scary and before long they aren’t fazed by it at all. Owners love the pictures because they really bring out the horse’s individual nature and character – they really have the wow factor.” Pictured: Ben, owned by Denise Mayhew of Warley, Essex