By Dr. Jennifer Miller-Bailey

 

In today’s world of Veterinary medicine, the days of the general practitioner who could provide all services, often to all species, are quickly dwindling. The horse world has demanded their Veterinarian be the expert. However it’s impossible to be the expert in all things. There just isn’t enough time to not only learn, but stay apprised on, all things horse. Most horse owners are familiar with Veterinary Specialists, such as Internists and Surgeons. These specialists have obtained additional formal schooling in those respective fields and passed examinations recognizing them as Board Certified Specialists. But specialization in the Veterinary world isn’t limited to recognized Specialists anymore. 

Today’s general practitioner has also attained some degree of specialization. While this isn’t recognized by a Board, it still exists and is probably more appropriately termed focusing. Focusing simply means the Veterinarian has chosen to devote continuing education hours and veterinary services to one or a few key interests or abilities. All Veterinarians are humans and all humans have things they like, things they don’t, things they are good at and others not so much. 

For example, some Veterinarians enjoy and are quite good at practicing sport horse medicine. Others enjoy discipline specific medicine. Some dentistry and others reproduction. A Veterinary podiatrist devotes their time and energy to lameness and pathology of the foot. Given the ole adage “No foot, no horse,” podiatry is quite an important aspect of Veterinary medicine. Despite this fact, many horse owners, and even some Veterinarians, don’t give the foot the respect it demands. Veterinary school devotes very little attention to the equine foot. Most of the Podiatry knowledge Veterinarians have is from experience and continuing education. 

Largely due to convenience and lack of knowledge, many horse owners seek the help of their regular Veterinarian when their horse suffers from a lameness stemming from or affected by the foot. While this is a good place to start, it’s best for the owner and the horse if a Veterinary podiatrist is sought out for their evaluation and recommendation as well. It’s rare for an owner’s regular Veterinarian to refer a horse to a Veterinary podiatrist. Typically it’s the owner who seeks out this type of evaluation. I think most Veterinarians probably feel quite capable of treating the foot. However, my experience has not supported that belief. I see all to often horses desperately needing options and treatments that only a podiatrist is versed in and capable of. Especially when dealing with laminitis, implementing such treatments at the earliest possible time is critical to the soundness or survival of the horse. Regular Veterinarians are just not equipped for this type of work, and too often timely referral to someone who is capable is not done. Ultimately the horse suffers. 

A Veterinary podiatrist will be the most educated on the newest and best approaches to treating lameness and pathology of the foot. They will also devote the time required to adequately address such issues and work well in conjunction with a Farrier. Most Veterinarians are quite busy. Often times when an issue with the foot is at hand, they might do a brief exam, shoot some radiographs, and leave instructions with the owner for the Farrier. A Veterinary podiatrist will do a much more in-depth exam. Typically they will schedule time to examine and work on the horse when the Farrier is present. This produces an invaluable team approach and allows the Farrier to see radiographs while they are working on the horse and discuss options and techniques face to face with the Veterinarian. The information gained by the radiographs therefore is exponentially more than what your regular Veterinarian would obtain. Farrier’s are not taught to read radiographs. The Veterinarian’s interpretation is necessary for the Farrier to gain the information they need. This type of joint appointment can take a good chunk of time out of a Veterinarian’s day. A regular Veterinarian is not typically prepared or willing to devote this kind of time to one patient. But this devotion makes the difference between success and failure.

While it’s true most Veterinarians are capable of diagnosing and treating many conditions of the foot, most are not adequately trained or experienced and lack the time or interest to learn more. If the problem can’t be solved with a medication or your Farrier, most regular Veterinarians are out of options. Every horse owner wants the best for their horse. While factors such as expense, upkeep and prognosis may dictate which option they choose, they want to know what the best options are so they can choose the most suitable option for their horse. Only a Veterinary podiatrist can give an owner those options and work to implement them. 

How does an owner go about finding a Veterinary podiatrist? Sometimes it takes a little research. Look at what continuing education the Veterinarian attends. Are they Podiatry meetings, or general meetings where one or two presentations were about the foot? Ask Farriers in your area what Veterinarians they see at Podiatry meetings and who is willing to work side by side with Farriers. Ask other horse owners for their experiences. These days with social media, it’s pretty easy to find out if a particular Veterinarian is a podiatrist. They typically post lots of pictures and write ups of their cases, all involving the foot. And last but not least, speak with your regular Veterinarian about their background, experiences, and education. Maybe they will recommend a podiatrist for you. 

So if your horse is in need of some attention, whether the foot is involved directly or indirectly, a call to a Veterinary podiatrist is highly recommended. The information and treatment options a podiatrist can provide and implement could gain you years of riding your horse with much less reliance on medications that just mask the pain.​​