HOW-TO SESSION: PRE-PURCHASE EXAM FOR THE WESTERN HORSE
lead in a reining pattern. It is more of a problem of performance for the high end reiner and cow horse than a resale problem as many veterinarians seem to disregard their significance, in the author’s opinion.
Suspensory Ligaments
The author finds one of the more common causes of lameness in the reiner, cutter, and cow horse is an enthesis injury to the origin of the suspensory ligament. This is of particular interest during pre-purchase examination. At times suspensory- ligament abnormalities are accompanied by radio- graphic evidence of injury to the palmar/plantar aspect of MC/T 3 or ultrasonographic evidence of proximal suspensory injury. Some enthesis injuries may only able to be diagnosed with MRI, in the author’s experi- ence. Ultrasonography can show an irregular fiber
pattern, disruption, or calcification of the suspensory ligament or its branches. Their presence offers a poorer prognosis based on the extent of the acute or chronic injury, in the author’s hands. While radiographs of the proximal cannon region
can show sclerosis, the author believes this is fre- quently overdiagnosed. Radiographs of this region can also reveal an avulsion fracture, which has a poor prognosis.
Acknowledgments
Declaration of Ethics The Author has adhered to the Principles of Veter- inary Medical Ethics of the AVMA.
Conflict of Interest The Author has no conflicts of interest.
