The UF Equine Lameness & Imaging Service is excited to announce its future plans for a new Equine Sports Performance Complex at the UF Large Animal Hospital in Gainesville. The anticipated date is April of 2014.
The arena will support the increasing number of equine patients seen by the Lameness & Imaging service, which operates under the direction of Dr. Alison Morton, who is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation and the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
The arena will:
- Provide a better environment for equine athletes and their riders. Horses are often more comfortable, better behaved and therefore safer when they are in a familiar environment, such as a riding ring, that has a contained fence line and sure footing.
- Allow accurate diagnosis of performance issues that may only be observed under saddle (when there is a rider on the horse). This can help with subtle lameness problems, problems related to bridle and bit, problems with upper or lower airway function, diagnosis of saddle fit problems, or other issues.
- Provide two surfaces for gait analysis. Some lamenesses may be more prevalent on hard ground, others on soft ground.
- The arena will be large enough to allow most disciplines to be performed for example show jumping, dressage, western sports, driving and others.
- Enable horse owners and veterinarians to observe the examination in a safe and comfortable environment.
- Provide a dedicated area for examinations that is free from interference or interruption from other hospital activities or poor weather conditions.
