Equine musculoskeletal

Superficial digital flexor tendon

Deep digital flexor tendon

Suspensory ligament

What are the palpable soft tissue structures of the equine distal limb from superficial to deep

Metacarpo/tarsophalangeal joint

What is the fetlock joint

Fetlock joint

Equine Metacarpo/tarsophalangeal joint is called...

Digital flexor tendon sheath

What are wind puffs

Wind puffs

Equine term for digital flexor tendon sheath

Radial carpal

Middle carpal

Carpometacarpal joint

What are the joints of the equine carpus

Tarso-crural (tibiotarsal)- only high motion joint

Talo-calcaneal

Proximal intertarsal

Distal intertarsal

Tarsometatarsal

What are the joints of the equine tarsus

Femoropatellar

Medial femorotibial

Lateral femorotibial

What are the joints of the equine stifle

Look at size, shape, symmetry

Digital pulses

Clean feet (pull shoes)

Use hoof testers

What are the steps of equine foot examination

One jaw of hoof tester on sole

Other jaw on hoof wall

Start at toe than move towards heel

Stay lower than coronary band

Cover all aspects of feet

Trying to see if you can illicit any sensitivity

How do you use hoof testers

Have foot weight-bearing

Palpate palmar soft tissue structures

Feel for any heat in hoof wall

Palpate digital pulses

Then pick up limb

Test range of motion of carpal areas and palpate palmar soft tissue structures

Palpate palmar distal limb

What are the steps of an equine forelimb distal limb palpation exam

Have the foot weight-bearing

Palpate stifle

Palpate plantar soft tissue structures

Palpate fetlock joint and tendon sheath

Lift leg to palpate with no weight on the limb

What are the steps of an equine hindlimb distal limb palpation exam

Neck

Withers

Firm pressure on dorsal midline

Sacral iliac region

Where do you palpate equine axial skeleton

Swelling (effusion)-fluid in the joint

Edema- fluid accumulation

Cellulitis (lymphangitis)- diffuse swelling of distal limb

Fibrosis

Bony swelling

What are some findings to look out for when palpating equine limbs

SDF

Peroneus tertius

Common calcanean tendon

Long digital extensor

What are the components of the passive stay apparatus

Take at widest portion of fetlock at proximal sesamoid bones

Use thumb and index finger

Palpate neurovascular bundle and rest fingers- don't press because you may occlude vessel

Normal HR is like 30

How do you take a digital pulse on a horse