Equine BodyWorks USA 

Our goal is to take the highest quality images for interpretation by our network veterinarians.  And we need your participation to make this happen!  So, you will be provided with simple, but very important, directions to follow to prepare your horse.

Here’s what you need to know: During these scans we are using a high-powered thermal imager that receives and processes infrared radiation given off by the target, in this case your horse, in order to generate a thermogram.  This image, essentially a ‘heat image’, depicts different color tones that correspond to the distribution of infrared radiation over the surface of the target. 

Since every item on earth generates infrared radiation and...since, ideally, we only want our Infrared camera to capture radiation emitted by your horse, it will be important that you minimize ‘extra items’ on your horse’s surface that would also be giving off radiation.  These ‘extra items’, called artifacts, might include things like fly spray, liniment, hoof oils, dried mud, sweat, your hand prints (really!) etc.  Our Network Veterinarians who will analyze the images of your horse and issue the Veterinary Interpretation in our Client Report are trained to 'look past' these anomolies, but 'clean' images of your horse will make their job easier!

So, to enable you to maximize the quality of your images, once you have scheduled your scan, we will provide you with detailed instructions to help you to prepare both your horse’s body and the scan location at your barn. The kinds of things you will be asked to do, you already do with your horse.

Overview of the preparation protocol: 

Horse Preparation – The "Do" List:

1. Horse should be clean, groomed, mud-free and completely dry.
2. Mane off of neck, by braiding or put in bunches with clips.
3. Leg protections (bandages, boots, wraps) and blankets should be removed at least 2 hours prior to the scan.
4. Feet should be picked out, dry and brushed clean--outside and underneath.
5. Horse should be exercised 15-20 minutes to increase blood flow; then permitted to rest for about thirty minutes prior to the scan.  NOTE: Alterations are made in cases of veterinarian direction and/or weather.
6. For saddle fit scans, no exercise is needed prior to the scan.
7. Horse should be stabled for an hour before the scan and settled in an enclosed or covered area away from cold drafts or direct sun.
8. For full hoof imaging (included with service), any pads or shoes would need to be removed prior to our arrival. (Note: Hoof imaging can be done with shoes or pads, but radiation is blocked by solid objects.  So the camera cannot receive radiation through solid objects; shoes and pads will block full imaging of the soles.  If hoof issues are your primary concern, it is recommended that the horse be barefoot for imaging.  We would be happy to work with you coordinate our visit with your farrier's arrival schedule.)

Horse Preparation – The "Don’t" List:

1. If possible, do not shave or clip areas of your horse in the days prior to your scan, as these areas will retain and emit heat differently than unshaved areas.
2. Don’t pull the mane or tail within the 24 hours prior to the consultation.
3. Don’t use any coat conditioners, fly sprays, blisters, liniments, poultices, creams or cold hosing, etc. on the day of the consultation, unless under Veterinary direction.
4. Do not ice your horse within 4 hours of imaging.
5. Don’t groom, lean on, or pet your horse within the 20 minutes prior to your horse’s scan time.

Scan Location Preparation Notes:

1. Imaging is best performed on a clean, dry, level area where the patient can stand squarely in comfort without footing obscuring the hooves.
2. The area should be out of direct sunlight, breezes and wetness/moisture.