Lameness & Performance Evaluation

Whether your horse is competing at the upper levels, fox hunting through the fall, enjoying long trail rides, or simply enjoying retirement after an active life, we strive to help every horse feel and perform their best.

At Ironwood Veterinary Services, we approach every performance evaluation with one goal: to identify any source of discomfort and develop an effective and comprehensive treatment plan for that individual.

We have an integrative approach to performance evaluation, this combines traditional sports medicine with advanced training in acupuncture, traditional Chinese veterinary medicine, and veterinary medical manipulation (“animal chiropractic”) to both identify a primary cause of discomfort and the compensatory patterns to address the whole horse.

Annual Performance Evaluations

Ironwood Veterinary Services recommends an annual performance examination 1-2 months prior to a busy riding or competition season. These appointments are designed to get to know your horse’s baseline, as well as give us enough time to be proactive about any signs of discomfort prior to your busy season.

Our Philosophy

Successful care of the equine athlete is about tailored preventative screening, early intervention, and a comprehensive whole-horse approach.

By combining individualized diagnostics with an integrative understanding of equine biomechanics, we strive to identify not only where pain exists but all the compensating mechanisms that may be impacting your horse’s performance. Our goal is to help horses move more comfortably, perform to their fullest potential, and enjoy a long, healthy athletic career.