Summary Background Navicular disease in the horse often requires injection of the navicular bursa. We have developed an ultrasound‐guided, lateral needle approach to navicular bursocentesis, which avoids penetration of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) and the need for radiographic control. Objectives To describe and evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of an ultrasound‐guided, lateral bursocentesis technique. Study design Cadaveric and in vivo experiments. Methods The navicular bursa in 62 cadaveric forelimbs of 31 horses and in both forelimbs of 26 live horses, positioned with the foot flexed in a navicular block, were submitted to lateral, ultrasound‐guided injection of 1.5 ml radiocontrast agent. Lateromedial radiographs were taken to locate the contrast. A second injection of 0.5 ml methylene blue was administered during needle withdrawal in cadaveric limbs to investigate the needle pathway during dissection. Results Contrast agent was successfully deposited in the navicular bursa in 104 of 114 (91%) limbs and in the navicular bursa alone in 89 of 114 (78%) limbs. Dissection showed no evidence of penetration of the DDFT in cadaver limbs. Failure to inject the navicular bursa was significantly associated with poor quality of the ultrasound image (P = 0.04) and resulted in aberrant injection of the distal interphalangeal joint in five of 114 (4%) limbs, the peribursal soft tissues in four of 114 (4%) limbs and the digital flexor tendon sheath in one of 114 (0.9%) limbs. Synovial fluid was observed at the needle hub in 58% of live horses. Main limitations It is unknown whether injection results obtained in the limbs of horses without disease can be extrapolated to horses with clinical disease of the podotrochlear apparatus. The localisation of contrast medium on radiographs may not accurately reflect the behaviour of local anaesthetic solution or therapeutic medications injected in the navicular bursa. Conclusions This lateral, ultrasound‐guided technique for injecting the navicular bursa is effective, does not penetrate the DDFT and avoids exposure of personnel to radiation.

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Chronic osteoarthritis of the pastern joint has a significant role in affecting the musculoskeletal system and is a recurrent cause of lameness in the equine athlete manifested by chronic lameness and thorough clinical and radiographic examination. This case report describes the evolution of chronic proliferative ossified osteoarthritis and periarthritis of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the front limb of a 12-year-old gelding. The careful clinical examination aimed to detect the site of the lesion, which is then confirmed by radiography that revealed extensive periarticular new bone formation over the proximal interphalangeal joint. This affection causes progressive deterioration of articular cartilage, accompanied by bone and soft-tissue periarticular changes. Control radiographic examination after a period of 10 months showed the extension of the lesion and the severe appearance of bone evolution and several medical approaches have been undertaken without improvement of the clinical condition of the horse. Several medical therapies are used in synergy with the palliative goal of reducing lameness and relieving pain, but most are of limited duration and do not stop the negative progression of the disease process. Once joint damage is advanced, it is difficult to remedy.

Hernia of the abdominal musculature was seen in 14 working equids (1% of total admissions) during the 14-month period between October 2016 and December 2017. Animals with hernias of less than 2 months' duration (six animals) were treated conservatively with compressive abdominal bandaging whereas those with hernias of more than 2 months' duration (five animals) were treated surgically with a primary closure of the defect. Surgical repair was not possible in three individuals due to the large size of the defect, location and lack of availability of prosthetic mesh. Of the 11 equidae treated, all showed complete resolution of the hernia by the time of discharge, and follow-up with owners, between 5 and 16 months post-treatment, revealed that no recurrence of the ruptures.