Infrared Thermal Imaging (Thermography) Scans -- Now for Horses -- Equine Infrared

Feb. 19, 2013 - PRLog -- Infrared thermal imaging (thermography) scans for horses. http://www.equineir.com  

Why should you get your horse an infrared scan? Can thermal imaging help you and your vet to help your horse? 'Coach Gary' of UnitedInfrared.com, along with 'Kingsley the Marketing Dog', weigh in on this important issue. Kingsley is a Great Pyrenees dog, and about the size of a small pony!

Is Kingsley the Marketing Dog actually the size of a small pony? Well, when he is on his hind legs, he stands over five feet tall, so you decide!

A good resource regarding application of infrared with horses, see our website:
http://www.equineIR.com

United Infrared, Inc. is the largest network of certified and properly trained thermographers in the world, and leaders in all aspects of using infrared imaging in the building sciences. Specific uses in building sciences include: roofing, block wall, electric, data centers, energy use, moisture intrusion into buildings.

But United Infrared is also at the forefront of using thermal imaging in new areas, particularly the life sciences. Thermography has been used successfully in breast tissue work, where it can find anomalies, sometimes sooner than other, current technologies! So, it should be no surprise that thermal imaging is also being used in the care and training of horses.

Before Thermography, Veterinarians could only locate problems using traditional methods such as observation and palpation. Now, using advanced EquineIR™ thermography, abnormalities present stressed tissues even before damage occurs. This methodology has been developed and refined over the past twenty-five years and has been proven to be an effective imaging technique for the following:

pre-purchase, hoof balancing, inflammation, general diagnostics & preventive medicine, pre-event imaging, saddle fit, muscle/nerve injury

A horse’s saddle should fit correctly and have even bearing on the horse’s back. A thermal review of the horse and the saddle can show when pressure points are unevenly distributed, therefore causing dcomfort to the horse and the rider.

Infrared thermography, a technology first introduced to the equine industry in the 1960s, is finally making its way into the horse health business. Simultaneously, it is proving itself as a career opportunity for horse enthusiasts. United Infrared, Inc., the world’s largest infrared service provider, has added Equine Thermography as a new service and training module.

A thermal imaging scan is a non-invasive diagnostic procedure. A thermal imaging camera is used to convert infrared waves into images visible with the human eye. The camera detects points of heat in the body. “The science is simple,” explains Peter Hopkins, vice president of United Infrared. “By thermally mapping the horse’s heat signature with a series of images, you can identify areas of elevated heat and cold areas, which can help identify common injuries: injuries often not detected by other modalities.” When this service is used in conjunction with their interpretation system, a licensed and qualified infrared trained veterinarian will review the images and provide a professional interpretation. Over a period of many years, Hopkins, in conjunction with a series of well qualified and IR trained veterinarians, developed a whole body scan procedure. Owners are instructed to prepare the horse before the thermographer’s visit. The routine begins with a short period of exercise to stimulate blood flow, followed by a prescribed rest period. Although the horse’s overall body temperature will have cooled down, an injury or problem area will typically have elevated temperatures for up to 24 hours. The images can either be sent to United Infrared’s interpretation system and/or sent to another veterinarian familiar with and trained in thermography.

Infrared scans for horses are typically performed with a high-resolution IR camera, such as a FLIR camera, model T420, Minimum resolution of 320 x 240 pixels is required for equine work. Other acceptable cameras are manufactured by Testo, Fluke and Palmer-Wahl...just be sure and check the resolution; ask your equine imaging tech just to be sure!

Basically, as the owner of an animal, there is an obligation to take care of it, and when an issue is not obvious, then diagnostic tools, such as an equine scan, in the hands of a specially-trained veterinarian, can be helpful. This short video helps to sort through the issues.

United Infrared has just announced a class on thermal imaging to teach those interested in the care of horses and their injuries. A class is scheduled for July 23-25 in San Diego. Info is available toll free at 888-722-6447.

For even more videos about equine IR (equine thermal imaging), and how infrared cameras can be used to help your horse, or to see the video of Kingsley and Coach Gary,  see our YouTube channel at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7O8AnWZOK_4