When First Cadet, a horse owned by Terri Rines, showed signs of lameness during training, the horse was treated by a local veterinarian who gave the horse an injection. The injection was followed by a reaction that caused the leg to swell and the horse's condition to worsen.
Because of the seriousness of the lameness which could become life-threatening if not properly treated, the local veterinarian recommended that Rines take First Cadet to the lameness specialists at the veterinary college at the University of Florida (UF), where the horse would have the advantage of advanced lameness diagnostic services.
UF has advanced diagnostic imaging equipment that helps identify the affected area through a new wireless gait analysis system. Sensors are placed in the appropriate areas and the sensors then send signals to the computer, which help determine where the horse is lame. UF’s high-field MRI and CT units also provide detailed images, which can help further diagnose the problem.
These diagnostic tests determined that it would be necessary to surgically remove part of the ligament. After the surgery, the horse was sent to the Kentucky Equine Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Center for 60 days days of rehabilitation through swimming, walking massage therapy and salt water baths
When the horse returned to the Vet Center for a follow-up examination approximately 10 months after the lameness developed, it was determined that the limb was fully healed with no residual adhesions or other problems and was able to go back to a normal exercise/work schedule.