So proud of one of the best interns Jess Brown for graduating from vet school! You will be an amazing vet! (fb)

Let's be crystal clear. Just because something is common doesn't mean it should be termed "normal". "Normal" spinal variants can be sources of pain! If your horse's pain or dysfunction can be localized to a specific spinal section (cervicothoracic, thoracolumbar, and/or lumbopelvic) it absolutely can be the source of pain. The anatomic boney changes also include muscle variations, nerve tract impingements, joint damage, and biomechanical issues. It is unacceptable and not logical to put definitive weight on a impinging DSP but not a damaged disk or facet. We accept and recognize that a small cervical facet spur can cause pain but an entirely malformed C6/C7/T1 is, by most, deemed clinically insignificant. That the SI matters but a destroyed lumbosacral is not discussed. There is no possibility that these malformations do not cause clinical concern in a horse's athletic life. If we did not ask them to be athletes these would likely be a non-issues. The second we are asking for athleticism these issues become more important to their performance. Just because things are common does not mean we should term them "normal". - ECVM rates of around 30%, affecting all breeds. - Transitional vertebrae in TB's reported to be 36% for L6/S1 (wonder why they struggle with canter?) This is why diagnostic necropsies and data collection is needed. Not every finding is clinically significant. However, when the body matches the clinical picture- it becomes very clear. When you see a twisted cervical spine, missing rib, malformed muscles and an impinged nerve in a ECVM horse who was lame and behavioral - the picture is crystal clear. Rexos Inc (fb)