Poor Performance Investigations

When a horse isn’t performing at the level you expect, there are many possible reasons and finding the cause can sometimes be complex.

At Epona Equine Vets we have a particular interest in investigating performance issues and take a careful, step-by-step approach. We’ll start by taking a detailed history from you, then carry out a thorough examination of your horse before discussing our findings and agreeing on a plan together.

Common underlying causes of poor performance can include:

• Subtle lameness
• Back problems such as over-riding dorsal spinous processes (“Kissing Spines”)
• Gastric ulcers or hindgut issues
• Airway disease
• Viral infections
• Hormonal imbalances in mares

We also recognise that not all problems are physical. If our investigations don’t reveal a medical or orthopaedic issue, then behavioural or training factors may be playing a role. In these cases, we may suggest involving trusted paraprofessionals to help get the best outcome for your horse.