Equine clinical examination

Question 1

a colloquial term for laminitis

Answer 1

founder

Question 2

What does an open mare mean?

Answer 2

a mare that has had foals previously but is not pregnant now.

Question 3

Under ideal conditions, mares should foal in what body condition?

Answer 3

a fleshy to fat condition (condition score 7 to 8).

Note: Under no circumstances should a mare be allowed to become obese (condition score 8.5 to 9).

Question 4

Typically, a performance horse should maintain a body condition score of

Answer 4

5 to 6, depending on type of work performed.

At this level the horse has just slight fat covering over its entire body.

With excess weight, a body condition score of 6-7, during hard work the horse will have a more difficult time cooling off during and after a performance event.

Question 5

What are the BCSs of these horses?

Answer 5

1, 5 and 8-8.5

Question 6

Location of easily palpable external arteries include the following: (3)

Answer 6

a. Facial artery - most frequent – overlying the ventral border of the ramus of the mandible

b. Transverse facial artery - ventral to the facial crest.

c. Digital artery – over the palmar/plantar and lateral or medial aspects of the fetlock or pastern

Question 7

hyperaesthesia

Answer 7

excessive physical sensitivity, especially of the skin.

Question 8

Sounds over each valve can
be heard in the following approximate locations:
1. Pulmonary

Answer 8

(L - 3rd) space at costochondral junction

Question 9

Sounds over each valve can
be heard in the following approximate locations:
2. Aortic

Answer 9

(L - 4th) space just below level of shoulder

Question 10

Sounds over each valve can
be heard in the following approximate locations:
3. Left AV or mitral valve

Answer 10

(L - 4th) space at level of olecranon

Question 11

Sounds over each valve can
be heard in the following approximate locations:
4. Right AV or tricuspid valve

Answer 11

(R - 3-4th) space between olecranon and costochondral junction

Question 12

body condition scoring of horses

Answer 12

9-point scale:
1: poor
2: very thin
3: thin
4: moderately thin
5: moderate
6: moderately fleshy
7: fleshy
8: fat
9: very fat

Ideally, a horse should score a 5 on the 9-point Henneke body condition scoring scale. This means that their ribs may not be clearly seen, but are easily felt, with slight fat cover around withers, tailhead, neck and shoulder.

Question 13

normal horse HR

Answer 13

(24) 28– 42 /min

Question 14

normal horse RR

Answer 14

8 - 16 /min

Question 15

normal horse temp.

Answer 15

37.0 – 38.2 (sometimes 38.5 in literature)

Question 16

assessment of borborygmi in horses

Answer 16

A subjective assessment – usually over-interpreted.

How strong vs „present or not“.
Describe the sounds you hear.

Question 17

What do you look at when assessing BCS?

Answer 17

Question 18

Assessing nuchal crest in horses.

Answer 18

Cresty Neck Scoring (CNS)

Cresty neck scoring (0–5 scale) is another measure of adiposity (fat) but focuses on where fat is stored in the body. It is similar to the neck sub-score for BCS. Horses, and especially ponies, with cresty necks (scores of 3 or greater) are at risk for metabolic issues, including laminitis. A BCS of 5 is likely associated with a CNS of 2.

Other Factors Besides Diet Influencing CNS aree any factor that can affect BCS and genetics (Some breeds, such as Morgans or ponies, are predisposed to having cresty necks and associated metabolic issues.

Question 19

The “SOAP” method in medicine.

Answer 19

stands for Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan. This method provides a systematic way for healthcare professionals to organize and communicate patient information.

Subjective - information obtained directly from the patient or their caregiver.

Objective - objective, measurable data ie. vitals.

Assessment - assessment is the healthcare professional’s analysis and interpretation of the subjective and objective information. includes the diagnosis, differential diagnosis etc.

Plan - outlines the proposed course of action for the patient’s care.