The Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) is the cornerstone of equine healthcare, fostering trust, communication, and high-quality care for horses. This relationship ensures that veterinarians can provide personalized medical attention by understanding each horse’s unique needs and medical history. Importantly, a current VCPR legally requires an annual examination of your horse to remain valid.

Be Prepared: Emergencies Happen When You Least Expect Them

Equine emergencies can happen at any time, and when they do, quick action can mean the difference between life and death. Do you have a veterinarian you can call in an emergency? Establishing a strong VCPR ensures that you have a trusted veterinarian who knows your horse’s medical history and is available to provide emergency care when needed. Without an active VCPR, securing veterinary assistance in a crisis may be delayed—or even unavailable.

• Emergency Coverage for Current Patients 
  At Woodside Equine Clinic, our ambulatory team provides emergency coverage for current patients who have an established VCPR with us. Our veterinarians are available to provide prompt, expert care when you need it most. Ensuring your horse has an annual exam with us keeps your VCPR active and guarantees access to emergency services.
• Emergency Referrals Always Accepted 
  For both established and new clients, Woodside Equine Clinic’s hospital is always available for emergency referrals. If your horse requires advanced care, your veterinarian can refer your case to our hospital, where our experienced team is prepared to handle critical cases, intensive care, surgery, and advanced diagnostics.

Why a Strong VCPR Matters:

• Improved Communication & Trust
  Horse owners who feel comfortable discussing their concerns with their veterinarian are more likely to share valuable insights about their horse’s behavior, diet, and environment. This transparency allows veterinarians to make well-informed decisions, leading to better health outcomes and a more engaged approach to care.
  
  
• Faster & More Effective Emergency Care 
  In critical situations—such as colic, severe lacerations, or respiratory distress—time is of the essence. A veterinarian who is already familiar with your horse’s medical history can act quickly, providing guidance on stabilization before arrival and ensuring swift, decisive treatment.  ?? Don’t wait until an emergency happens to find out if a veterinarian is available! Ensure you have an established VCPR now so that your horse can receive immediate care when it matters most.
  
  
• Collaboration with Other Professionals
  Equine healthcare often involves a team approach, including farriers, trainers, and equine specialists. A strong VCPR helps coordinate care between these professionals, ensuring the best possible recovery and overall well-being for your horse.
  
  
• Proactive Preventive Care
  Routine check-ups, vaccinations, dental care, and nutrition planning are all part of preventive healthcare. A well-established VCPR helps detect health concerns before they become emergencies, allowing for early intervention and better long-term outcomes.

By maintaining a strong partnership with your veterinarian, you help ensure your horse receives the best possible care—from everyday wellness to urgent medical situations.

If your horse hasn’t had an annual exam yet this year, schedule one today to ensure you have access to emergency care when you need it most!

Lameness is one of the most common performance-limiting issues in equine athletes, affecting horses across all disciplines. Catching lameness early can mean the difference between a minor setback and a long-term problem. As equine veterinarians, we often emphasize the importance of recognizing subtle changes that may indicate discomfort before they progress into a more serious injury. In this article, we’ll explore how horse owners, trainers, and riders can identify early signs of lameness and when to seek veterinary attention.

Why Early Detection Matters

Equine athletes put significant stress on their joints, tendons, and muscles. Minor discomfort can quickly escalate into severe injury or stress other anatomical structures if not addressed early. Prompt recognition and intervention allow for better treatment outcomes, reduced downtime, and improved long-term soundness.

Subtle Signs of Lameness:  Lameness doesn’t always present as an obvious limp. Early signs are often subtle and require careful observation. Some of the key indicators include:

1. Changes in Performance

• • Resistance to certain movements (e.g., reluctance to turn, collect, or extend)
  • Decreased impulsion or engagement from behind
  • Loss of balance, stumbling, or inconsistent stride rhythm
  • Difficulty with lead changes or refusing jumps
  • Starting out stiff or not bending as well and improving with warm up.

2. Changes in Behavior

• • Unwillingness to be tacked up
  • Pinning ears, tail swishing, or general irritability during work
  • Increased spookiness or reluctance to go forward
  • Here is a link to a video of 24 behavioral changes seen with a horse with pain. https://youtu.be/hrZgtrqbMVI?si=PIkTE4jwGRuhkpWe
  • Misbehaving or uncomfortable when being shod

3. Subtle Physical Signs

• • Muscle asymmetry or loss of topline condition
  • Uneven hoof wear or abnormal shoe wear
  • Slight heat or swelling of joints or tendons
  • Changes in posture when standing (e.g., resting one leg more than usual)

How to Detect Lameness in Motion: A structured lameness assessment can help pinpoint an issue before it worsens. Here are ways to evaluate your horse’s movement:

1. Watch Your Horse at Different Gaits

• • Lameness may not be apparent at the walk but becomes evident at the trot or canter.
  • Observe your horse traveling in both directions on a straight line and in circles on the lunge or with another rider

2. Look for Head Bob or Hip Dropping

• • A horse with a forelimb lameness will typically bob its head, lifting it when the sore leg bears weight.
  • A horse with a hindlimb lameness may show excessive hip movement sometimes described as dropping or hiking on the affected side.

3. Evaluate on Different Surfaces

• • Some lameness conditions worsen on harder ground, while others become more obvious in deep footing.

4. Perform a Flexion Test

• • Flexing a joint and then trotting the horse off can help identify discomfort in specific areas.

When to Call Your Veterinarian

If you notice any of these subtle signs, it’s important to consult your veterinarian before the issue worsens. Early intervention may include:

• A thorough lameness exam, that may include flexion tests, diagnostic blocks and imaging (X-rays, ultrasound, bone scan,etc.)
• Chiropractic and/or acupuncture treatment
• Anti-inflammatory treatments
• joint injections
• shock wave
• regenerative therapies
• A rehabilitation program tailored to your horse’s needs

Final Thoughts

Recognizing early signs of lameness in your equine athlete can help prevent minor issues from turning into career-threatening injuries. Regular monitoring, proper conditioning, and routine veterinary check-ups are key to keeping your horse performing at its best.

If you suspect lameness or want to discuss a preventative soundness plan for your horse, contact us today to schedule an evaluation!