THE TRUE NATURE AND REALITY OF REALITY OF RX:
Performing a vet check should be the search for health, not perfection
1. Individual Variability - Each horse is unique, and its bone and joint structure can show significant differences. This means that it is common to find findings on radiographs that are normal for a particular horse, but could be considered abnormal in another, and many of them do not indicate health problems or pain.
2. Common Findings - On horse x-rays, it is possible to see degenerative changes, small irregularities, or even scarring in the bones and joints. These findings do not always indicate a clinical or painful problem. Many horses may have x-rays that show alterations, but they do not affect their performance or quality of life.
3. Importance of Context - The interpretation of radiographs must be done in conjunction with the horse’s clinical history, nutrition, level of training, age…
4. Guarantee - A horse that has “clean” x-rays at the time of purchase is NOT a guarantee for the future, I personally know horses at high level in competitions with “Imperfect” xrays without problem/maintenance, and horses without findings with problem
5. Conclusion- The x-rays are an integral part of equine care, but it is crucial to understand that there are no perfect horses with perfect x-rays. Each horse has its own history and individual characteristics, and the most important thing is to ensure its general well-being and quality of life.
Equine health is a continuous journey that goes beyond what can be seen on an x-ray image.