Equinalysis, the equine health and performance specialists, has announced a new pricing programme for their biomechanical equine screening, which can get to the root of ongoing soundness problems.

The video-based technology provides horse owners with a portfolio of facts and figures about their horse’s locomotion; Equinalysis Managing Director Walter May says the new pricing modules will tailor the screenings to a horse owner’s needs. “The assessments have many uses; for example, if owners are getting differing opinions from various experts, eg. their saddler, trainer, vet and physio, Equinalysis can provide evidence of the horse's locomotion and even pinpoint the root cause of any soundness issues,” he says.

Prices now start with an entry module at £95 plus VAT, which includes video footage and is ideal for remedial farriery work; a ‘benchmarking’ or pre-purchase module at £200 plus VAT, which includes eight biomechanical measurements including stride length and fetlock hyperextension; and a diagnostic module at £275 plus VAT, which includes a further six measurements including stance duration and tarsal flexion.

Russell Guire is an Equinalysis business partner, and carries out performance analysis on both horses and riders through his company Centaur Biomechanics. “It is a common misconception that this technology is just a reactive tool to be used once a horse is lame,” he says. “But owners of sound horses are in a great position, as having a horse screened when sound then provides a ‘benchmark’ for the future, should the horse’s soundness be compromised. If this happens, vets, physios and farriers can all access the initial data to see how the horse’s movement has changed, and refer to it as the horse recuperates.”

Aside from using the screening to take data from a sound horse, owners may choose to have Equinalysis work done if they have noticed a difference in their horses’ performance as the seasons change. Winter conditions mean horses with joint problems suffer more from pain and stiffness, and it is common for owners of horses that have lived out over summer to see changes in their horses’ locomotion. Dressage rider Henry Boswell says it is vital to be aware of these changes and ensure a correct warm up period, so the horse’s muscles are gently worked, and the joints are not strained.

“It is important to avoid over-stretching at this time of year,” Henry says. “I also find it particularly useful to monitor my horses’ performance as the seasons change, and this technology can help pin-point any issues associated with stiffness in the joints, and check stride length, which may be affected by the colder, damp weather,” he says.