Maria Soroko

Infrared Thermography: Current Applications in Equine Medicine

Abstract Infrared thermography is an imaging technique, mapping body surface temperature changes which may indicate inflammatory, vascular, or neurological disorders. The proper use of thermography to evaluate surface thermal patterns requires a controlled environment and rigorous adherence to an imaging protocol to eliminate errors of interpretation. Thermography plays an important role as a complementary diagnostic tool in veterinary medicine, indicating any areas of abnormality and suggesting where to concentrate further diagnostic imaging or treatment. During the healing process, it can quantify the regression of inflammation or monitor the efficacy of anti‐inflammatory medication. However, the specificity and sensitivity of thermography can be limited for many applications, and it is therefore most valuable as an adjunct to other modalities and should always be performed under veterinary guidance. More research is required to confirm the reproducibility of the technique, especially during long‐term follow‐up. This review considers the evidence for the utility of thermography in equine medicine practice and presents its current advantages and limitations. HighlightsThermography plays an important complementary role in early detection of pathology.Thermography provides physiological information about an injury and aids localization.Therefore it is most valuable when combined with other modalities.

The effect of ambient temperature on infrared thermographic images of joints in the distal forelimbs of healthy racehorses

The aim of the study was to describe the dependence on ambient temperature of distal joint temperature at the forelimbs of racehorses. The study also investigated the influence of differing ambient temperatures on the temperature difference between joints: this was measured ipsilaterally (i.e. between the carpal and fetlock joints along each forelimb) and contralaterally (i.e. between the same joints of the left and right forelimbs). Sixty-four healthy racehorses were monitored over 10 months. At each session, three thermographic images were taken of the dorsal, lateral and medial aspects of the distal forelimbs. Temperature measurements were made from regions of interest (ROIs) covering the carpal and fetlock joints. There was a strong correlation between ambient temperature and absolute joint temperature at all ROIs. The study also observed a moderate correlation between ambient temperature and the ipsilateral temperature differences between joints when measured from the medial and lateral aspects. No significant correlation was noted when measured dorsally. The mean contralateral temperature differences between joints were all close to 0°C. The data support previous reports that the temperature distribution between the forelimbs of the healthy equine is generally symmetric, although some horses differ markedly from the average findings.

The influence of breed, age, gender, training level and ambient temperature on forelimb and back temperature in racehorses

A previous thermographic study of racehorses identified 13 regions of interest (ROIs) for monitoring the impact of training. However, that investigation did not consider the influence of breed, age, gender or training intensity level on the temperature of ROIs. The present study adopted a multivariate analysis approach to determine whether the aforementioned factors, along with ambient temperature, significantly influenced ROI temperature in the key body regions. Thermography measurements were obtained from 53 racehorses of three breeds. Horses were in regular training for over 10 months, having 13 thermographic examinations in each racing season. Backward stepwise multiple linear regression indicated that ambient temperature and breed contributed significantly to the model for predicting ROI temperature at all 13 ROIs. Training intensity level contributed significantly to the model only at the thoracic vertebrae, the left third metacarpal bone and left fetlock joint. Neither gender nor age contributed to the model significantly at any ROI. Our data suggest that ambient temperature, breed and training level affect racehorse body surface temperature in some areas of the distal parts of the forelimbs and the back. This contributes to a better understanding of the normal range of thermographic findings in racehorses undergoing intensive training.

Assessment of Saddle Fit in Racehorses Using Infrared Thermography

&NA; The aim of this study was to assess the influence of horse, saddle, and rider on saddle fit in racehorses by detecting pressure distribution using infrared thermography. In this study, 22 saddles used on 65 racing horses ridden by 21 riders were used. Data from horses including gender, breed, age, training intensity, and level of performance were collected. Type and mass of the saddle were also obtained, along with information about the riders body mass and riding skills. Thermographic images of the saddles panels were captured immediately after untacking the horse at each thermographic examination. On each thermographic image of the saddle panels, six regions of interest (ROIs) were marked, with mean temperature calculated within each ROI to indicate pressure distribution. Saddle fit was evaluated for right/left panel pressure, bridging/rocking pressure, and front/back pressure according to horses: gender, breed, age, training intensity, level of conditioning, riders skills, and load (saddle plus rider mass). There were statistically significant relationships (P < .05) between left/right asymmetry and age, training, intensity and load. In front/back pressure, there was a statistically significant relationship (P < .05) for load. No statistically significant relationships were observed between bridging/rocking pressure and the rest of the aforementioned variables. The study indicated that load, horse age, and training intensity influence pressure distribution in racing saddles. Therefore, animal age and load have to be considered in saddle fit. Infrared thermography has been confirmed as a useful tool in the evaluation of saddle fit in racing horses. HighlightsLoad and horse age influence pressure distribution of the saddle fit.Horse age and load have to be considered in saddle fit in racing horses.Infrared thermography is a useful tool in the evaluation of saddle fit.

A Pilot Study Into the Utility of Dynamic Infrared Thermography for Measuring Body Surface Temperature Changes During Treadmill Exercise in Horses

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility of evaluating heat loss from the body surface of horses during exercise on a treadmill using dynamic infrared thermography (IRT). Continuous measurements of body surface temperature change at walk, trot, and during recovery time were collected from five horses using a thermographic camera. Horses were exercised on the treadmill for 25 minutes: 10 minutes of walk, 10 minutes of trot, 5 minutes of walk, and ending with 10 minutes of recovery time. Four thermograms per minute were extracted from the original 30 Hz video sequences for temperature analysis. Four regions of interest (ROIs) were positioned on each analyzed thermographic image including neck (NC), shoulder (SH), chest (CH), and croup area. At baseline, the NC was the hottest ROI, followed by the SH. By the end of the first walk, the temperature at all ROIs had increased, with the NC area remaining the warmest. During the trot, temperature increased for the first 5 minutes, with the greatest increase in temperature in the CH area. During the second walk, the temperatures started to decline in all regions. By the end of the recovery period, temperature had reduced at all regions, with the NC and CH areas demonstrating the biggest drop in temperature. It was found that heat loss from the body surface during exercise can be evaluated by means of dynamic body surface temperature measurement with IRT. More research is now required to fully explore the physiological changes of the equine musculoskeletal system during exercise. HighlightsHeat loss is evaluated by means of dynamic body surface temperature measurement.Dynamic temperature measurement provided information on heat dissipation.Thermography is a technique which reveals the evolution of temperature in real time.

The Application of Infrared Thermography in Equestrian Sport

Infrared thermography has found a broad range of applications in equestrian sport as a complementary diagnostic tool in veterinary practice and sport performance. Thermal imaging is useful for monitoring changes to a horse’s body surface temperature resulting from exercise, allowing evaluation of the contribution of individual parts of the body to horse performance. Thermography can play an important role in rehabilitation, indicating an area of abnormality and so guiding where to concentrate further diagnostic imaging or treatment.

Physiological Changes of the Horse Musculoskeletal System During Physiological Effort Measured by Infrared Thermography

Despite progress in equine sports science which has brought improved training programmes, little is known about the basic physiology of the musculature in the exercising horse. Using electromyography, Harrison et al. [1] demonstrated a range of activation times for the different limb muscles, which was found to be dependent on the gait of the horse. However, electromyography is unsuitable for large studies due to its complex nature.