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Observation
What you see. The starting point for addressing any equine health related issue is your observation.

YOU ARE OBSERVING

Reduced Racing Performance

Summary

Speed is a combination of natural ability, genetics, fitness, training, riding and a variety of intangible factors. A horse must be functioning at its peak in all these areas in order to run at top speed. Reduced racing performance may be due to deficiencies or conditions involving any of these factors. In addition, environmental factors like track surfaces and conditions alter racing performance.

There is a fairly short list of common veterinary conditions on the race track and any of these might reduce racing performance. Conditions causing lameness, Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH), and other respiratory conditions that interfere with maximal respiratory function all commonly reduce racing performance.

  • Code Yellow

    Contact Your Vet at Your Convenience for an Appointment
    • To rule out physical issues that may be causing the problem.
You also might be observing
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Rare
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your role

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What To Do

Perform the Whole Horse Exam, paying particular attention to general body condition compared to past. Notice attitude and appetite- has anything changed?

your vet's role

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Track veterinarians rule out and treat lameness, and assess other body systems using physical examination and lab work, to try to determine whether there is a physical reason for the poor performance.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
  • When did you first notice this problem?
  • Do you notice the horse showing any other signs of a problem?
  • What is the horse's exercise and performance history leading up to this?
  • What are the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE)?
  • What are the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE)?
  • Do you notice any other signs of disease, like coughing or lameness or respiratory noise?
  • Has the horse ever bled from the nostrils, with exercise, to your knowledge?
  • Do you notice respiratory noise when the horse is ridden?
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Diagnostics Your Vet May Perform

Figuring out the cause of the problem. These are tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what’s wrong.

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Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider

The cause of the problem. These are conditions or ailments that are the cause of the observations you make.

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Treatments Your Vet May Recommend

A way to resolve the condition or diagnosis. Resolving the underlying cause or treating the signs of disease (symptomatic treatment)

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Author: Doug Thal DVM Dipl. ABVP