In this episode of the Disease Du Jour podcast, Jennifer Madera, DVM, joined us to discuss the role of the FEI endurance veterinarian and social license to operate at FEI endurance events. Madera is a Level 3 Endurance Official Veterinarian and a Level 2 Endurance Treatment Veterinarian who works at multiple endurance competitions every year.
What Does an FEI Endurance Veterinarian’s Role Entail?
Madera said endurance events usually have at least four veterinarians on-site, including at least three official veterinarians working the gate and at least one designated treatment veterinarian.
Official veterinarians are responsible for checking horses’ passports and vaccination histories upon arrival. They also perform in-depth inspections of each horse to approve them to compete, analyzing their soundness, pulse, hydration, and more. They inspect each horse at various points throughout the ride, and they perform a final examination when each horse completes the ride.
The treatment veterinarian’s role is to support any horse that becomes injured, dehydrated, or otherwise impaired during the ride. The treatment veterinarian has a stocked veterinary truck, and ambulances are always available to transport horses to a referral hospital if necessary. According to Madera, dehydration is one of the most common health concerns that arises during these events, and treatment veterinarians often need to administer fluids and correct electrolyte abnormalities.
Vet Gate Process for Endurance Horses
Madera explained that when a horse arrives at the vet gate, it will first have its pulse taken. Pulse criteria is usually set at 64 beats per minute, and if a horse does not meet that criteria, it is not allowed to continue, though it will still need to complete the full inspection for safety.
After meeting pulse criteria, the horse comes to one of the official veterinarians, who will take its pulse again, ask the horse to trot 125 feet straight away and back, and then take a second pulse one minute after the first, which is the cardiac recovery index (CRI). “That has been shown to be a good indicator of overall condition,” Madera said. “Your cardiac recovery index should be equal or less. So say their first pulse was 64 beats per minute, the second pulse should be 64 or less.” If the second pulse has spiked up, it can be cause for concern and indicates the horse needs to be monitored more closely.
The official veterinarian then assesses hydration parameters, skin tint, jugular refill, capillary refill time, mucous membrane color, gut sounds in all four quadrants, and muscle tone. They check for rubs or abrasions from tack, wounds on the limbs, and interference marks between limbs. They also assess the horse for gait irregularities, which would be cause for potential elimination.
“When a horse is presented and there is cause for concern, they’re not eliminated by one veterinarian,” Madera explained. “There is a three-veterinarian panel that will have an anonymous vote and then either pass or fail that horse.” The panel also votes to approve all completions.
Common Medical Concerns in Endurance Horses
Madera said one of the biggest concerns during a vet check is overall soundness. “They may take one or two steps, understandably, after 25, 50, 75 miles, 100 miles, but we don’t want to see a consistent gait irregularity,” she said.
Sometimes, endurance horses simply present with an exhausted expression. “Obviously, we are looking at their overall condition, but you do want to pay close attention to the horse’s overall demeanor, not just a sound gait,” Madera said. She wants to see horses that are eager to trot off and don’t need encouragement.
Poor gut sounds are another common cause for concern, as is an increased cardiac recovery index. Sometimes, horses are sound, but their back muscles are extremely sore. Dehydration is also a relevant concern.
“If they are not fit to continue, we would certainly much rather get that horse stopped off the trail and to the treatment vet before serious injury, dehydration, or tie up has occurred,” Madera said.
Social License to Operate for Endurance Events
Endurance racing has faced public scrutiny for welfare concerns, and veterinarians play an important role in upholding the sport’s social license to operate. “The veterinarian’s role is to follow the rules consistently,” Madera said. “Remember that the end goal is welfare of the horse. The goal is not for a rider to complete or win or succeed in getting a certain degree of mileage.”
Madera reiterated that endurance horses are very well cared for. She said the riders care about their horses and want them to remain healthy, long-term teammates. The FEI has also adopted very strict guidelines, qualifications to compete, and drug testing protocols.
“These horses are not competing medicated, and if they are, there is regular drug testing,” Madera said.
How to Get Involved
At the end of the episode, Madera offered advice to veterinarians interested in working at endurance events. She recommended searching for a local endurance event, contacting the veterinarian listed, and offering to apprentice or volunteer at the ride.
“Honestly, just hanging out for a few hours at the vet gate, you’re going to see more lameness exams than you would most days in clinical practice,” she said.
About Dr. Jennifer Madera
Jennifer Madera, DVM, graduated from the University of Missouri in 2004. She then moved to Ocala, Florida, for an equine internship at Peterson Smith and stayed on with them as an ambulatory associate. Several years later, her career shifted to small animal practice. Currently, Madera continues part time in small animal practice, and also provides regular equine ambulatory emergency coverage at Peterson Smith. As an endurance vet, she works as an official at several FEI and national rides each year. She is passionate about building lasting relationships with her colleagues, clients, and patients, and she supports creative options for veterinarians to remain in or return to equine practice. In her spare time, Madera enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cheering on her kids at swim meets and baseball games, reading, running, and enjoying the outdoors.
Related Reading
- Disease Du Jour: Role of the Permitted Treating Veterinarian
- Disease Du Jour: Regulatory Veterinary Medicine for Horses
- Calcium Supplementation in Endurance Horse Treatment
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