Mountain Point Equine Hospital

09/02/2025

09/01/2025

𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧 / 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬

What is considered “normal” and when should you as an owner dig deeper into the issue?

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝐚 𝐦𝐢𝐱 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐥, 𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤-𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫/𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬.

- Improper saddle fit
- Rider imbalances
- Hoof angles
- Improper muscle development
- Skeletal dysfunction like Kissing Spine(s).

𝐓𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬:

- Imaging (X-Ray, MRI, Ultrasound)
- Muscle testing / palpating
- Injections
- Chiropractic
- Acuscope / Myopulse
- Shockwave

If you’re having issues, consult with one of our vets to help diagnose and together we can create a treatment plan specific to your horse.

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08/31/2025

We hope you guys are having a wonderful holiday weekend! Just a reminder 𝐌𝐏𝐄 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐃 September 1!

We will resume regular hours Tuesday September 2.

08/23/2025

Here's some interesting information about Polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) from our friends at Rhinebeck Equine. Have you heard about this condition before? Let us know in the comments below!

"💪🏼 Last week, we discussed Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (ER) aka tying-up. We mentioned that PSSM (Polysaccharide storage myopathy) is associated with genetic susceptibility of ER.

💪🏼 What is PSSM?
PSSM is a disorder that causes muscle soreness and tying up in horses from abnormal glycogen storage in the muscles. The two types of PSSM are Type 1 and Type 2.

♦️ PSSM Type 1 is caused by a mutation in the GYS1 gene (glycogen synthase 1). The mutation causes muscle cells to produce glycogen continually. PSSM Type 1 is more commonly observed in Quarter Horses, Paints, Appaloosas and draft breeds; however, it has been documented in 20 breeds.

♦️ PSSM Type 2 occurs without genetic mutation yet results in abnormal glycogen storage in the muscles. It is still unknown the exact cause of PSSM Type 2. PSSM Type 2 is more common in warmbloods, but it has been linked to other breeds.

🩺 What are the clinical signs?
Sweating, lameness, sore muscles, weakness, undiagnosed lameness, poor performance, and muscle tremors that may occur with or without exercise. Not all horses will exhibit severe clinical signs.

🥼 How do we test for PSSM Type 1 and 2?
Testing for PSSM Type 1 requires hair samples with the roots attached to test for the GYS1 variant. Testing for PSSM Type 2 requires a muscle biopsy.

🩸 Additional testing of insulin may be warranted due to PSSM Type 1 horses are commonly more sensitive to it. Insulin causes the GYS1 gene to produce more glycogen.

💪🏼 How do we treat PSSM once diagnosis is made?
Diet and regular exercise are crucial to managing these horses. Often these horses are on a low non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) grass hay and a ration balancer. However, each horse is an individual and may need more calories which can be achieved by adding a low-NSC or high fat feed. Additional supportive care may be necessary during an active episode of tying up.

🤔 What is the prognosis?
Sadly, there’s no cure, but with dietary and exercise management horses can do well and reduce the frequency of active tying-up episodes."

If you have any concerns about your horse exhibiting signs of PSSM Type 1 or 2, talk to your veterinarian.

📸: Dr. Laura Javsicas, ACVIM, performing a muscle biopsy.

08/13/2025

08/11/2025

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐯𝐞𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐬?

🐴 Routine palpation and inspection of the distal limbs is critical for early identification of heat, edema, digital pulse changes, or subtle asymmetries that may indicate soft tissue injury, joint pathology, or inflammatory processes.

🐴 Daily assessment supports timely intervention, improved prognosis, and long-term soundness.

Each of us as owners should have an understanding of what is “normal” for our horses leg heath.

𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐝𝐲𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐬𝐨𝐟𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬—𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞’𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤.

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08/08/2025

Just a friendly reminder for parking! Makes it easy for large and small trailers alike to pull in and easily leave after their appointment. Thank you!

08/04/2025

𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 is the medical removal 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥, 𝘥𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘥, 𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘦 of from a wound to improve healing.

Why it’s done:
- To prevent infection
- To reduce inflammation
- To promote healthy tissue regeneration
- To help medications or treatments work more effectively

𝐓𝐲𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭:

𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥(sharp) – Performed with a scalpel, razor, or scissors to quickly remove nonviable tissue.
𝐌𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 – Involves physical force (e.g., wet-to-dry dressings or hydrotherapy).
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐭𝐢𝐜 – Uses the body’s own enzymes and moisture under a dressing to break down dead tissue.
𝐄𝐧𝐳𝐲𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 – Uses topical agents that chemically digest necrotic tissue.

If you need help with your horses wound care give us a call at 801-446-3046.

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07/29/2025

𝐃𝐞𝐡𝐲𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬:

𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘳…

- Dry, tacky gums
- Skin tenting (slow skin return when pinched)
- Sunken eyes
- Dull demeanor or lethargy
- Dark, concentrated urine or decreased urination
- Poor capillary refill time (CRT > 2 seconds)
- Elevated heart rate and respiration

𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐭𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬:

- Always provide clean, accessible water
- Offer electrolytes (especially after work or in hot conditions)
- Monitor hydration status during travel or after illness
- Soak hay or feed wet mashes to increase water intake

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