The recent press including the bold publication of some interesting books has highlighted the use and accessibility of expensive therapies and modalities administered to equine athletes and brought up the topic of whether or not horses truly benefit from all the effort.
Our Horses All Deserve The Best - But What Is The Best?
Diagnosing a health or performance issue is obviously a key to managing its care and offering remedial help to the animal. But just when are the lengths that can be employed to research, diagnose and the myriad of treatment options just used to pay for the expensive diagnostic equipment and build pharmaceutical or feed/supplement companies' bottom line?
Just as in human medicine, the doctors in veterinary medicine are subject to the market forces that exist to build business. The increasingly widespread use of drugs like Osphos, which I wrote about in this article -is a great example of how persuasive marketing from a drug manufacturer in press such as the AAEP magazine, and assorted 'attractive' offers, can make a treatment popular without necessarily, in this author's humble opinion anyway, being proven as safe to use long term.
The business of equine medicine is still booming, despite the lack of ambulatory care providers nationwide. The attendance of a team of expert veterinarians at a prestige barn to treat the most valuable horseflesh will always be a given, even Universities such as Cornell must follow the money. And some opportunities at these high-end facilities to research and document injuries, diseases and treatments do come with the chance to employ their vast array of expensive equipment and learned personnel.
But increasingly the backyard or amateur horse owner is left in the dust. The budget of the average horse owner does not stretch to spending money on major diagnostic practices or costly treatments, even if they are willing or even able to transport their horses to a clinic or university location for the privilege.
Many notable authorities in the veterinary field, including the much-loved Dr. David Ramey and similarly published author, Dr. Shelley Onderdonk, are among the growing number of veterinarians who are 'coming clean' about the prevalent use and validity of some of the protocols being urged on horse owners by their noble profession.
Full credit to publishers Trafalgar Square Books, for publishing titles such as one of their most recent, Winning with Horses. A stellar insight from both a highly regarded and accomplished polo professional Snow, and his partner veterinarian Onderdonk into the real 'winning' ways.
One of the very best remedies for healing in the horse, whether mental or physical and sometimes both of course run together, is simply to rest the horse. But no-one is making any money out of that, and sadly many horse owners simply don't want to give the horse the time it needs to properly recover.
The horse owners who simply does not have the money to fund repeat vet visits, multiple ongoing tests/Xrays/ ultrasounds, and specialist therapies such as laser treatments or stem cell regenerative methods etc. will likely feel a measure of guilt at not pushing their financial well-being off a cliff to afford what they are coerced into believing is, 'best for their horse". Somewhat ironically, by not doing everything possible and throwing everything but the kitchen sink at a health issue, these horse owners may be doing their horses a huge favor.
A good dose of common sense in the animal's routine, diet and daily care and exercise, with obviously some background help from a veterinary perspective (hopefully someone with an approach based on integrity and sincere knowledge and strong enough in character not to be subject to the wiles of the industry forces), can be better than what some doctors ordered.
The reality is that quick fixes often don't last, and Mother Nature still has plenty of import in the healing process and recovery of an animal's well-being that is sometimes better left without undue interference.
