Equine Sports Medicine

Its been a gruelling season but the end is in sight. Looking back training camp seems so long ago so many months of hard work of getting in shape. Last season certainly took its toll on the team. Coaches trainers and even the owner commented on the past years success and the hard work that went into it. The offseason months were a time of some welldeserved rest. This year it seemed as if we were destined to repeat our performance. Some early successes had things looking optimistic but then the setback A leg injury a sore back during rehab and the emotional and psychological toll felt by everyone involved. The doctors trainers and coaches worked tirelessly to make sure we made a full recovery and finished the season strong. The many doctor exams rechecks and rehabilitation sessions were worth it. Were going to have a successful and exciting ending to the season after all.

If youre reading the above paragraph in Canada chances are you might think its describing your favourite NHL player in the middle of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Go back and read it again from that perspective. You can imagine that highperformance athlete having incredible tools at their disposal for their health and wellbeing as an athlete. But really all of those same things can be said for the equine athlete in your life. If you read the opening paragraph from the standpoint of your horse all the same things apply.
We are fortunate to live in a time when there have been tremendous strides in equine sports medicine and the services available to benefit horses and their riders are getting even better. 
What is Sports Medicine?
Human sports medicine is defined as a branch of medicine that deals with physical fitness and the treatment and prevention of injuries related to sports and exercise. When we transfer that definition to the veterinary world there is really no need to change anything about it. 
Typically veterinary medicine has fallen into two categories
Companion animal medicine deals with household pets and livestock where the main goals of veterinary care are maintenance of good general health with a painfree and enjoyable life. Most companion animals dont have a job other than living with and being loved by their owners. 
Production animal medicine deals with livestock that are raised as food animals. This would include dairy and beef cows poultry pigs and even aquaculture.