USET flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Synsarcosis

The muscular attachment of the equine forelimb to the trunk, with no bony clavicle; the serratus ventralis forms a sling that supports the thorax between the forelimbs.

Reciprocal apparatus

The linked tendon system of the hind limb in which the stifle and hock flex and extend together, allowing the standing horse to lock the joint and rest with minimal effort.

Stay apparatus

A network of ligaments and tendons, including the suspensory and check ligaments, that locks the limbs and lets the standing horse rest without continuous muscular effort.

Muscle fiber types

Type I fibers are slow-twitch and oxidative for endurance; Type IIA and IIX fibers are fast-twitch and glycolytic for power, with proportions varying by breed and training.

Duty factor

The proportion of a stride cycle that a limb spends in stance; it is higher at slower gaits such as the walk and lower at faster gaits.

Footfall sequence

The order in which hooves strike the ground; the walk is a four-beat lateral sequence, the trot is two-beat diagonal, and the canter is three-beat.

Head nod in lameness

A downward head movement when the sound forelimb is weight-bearing; the head rises when the lame limb bears weight, a key sign of forelimb lameness.

Suspensory ligament function

It supports the fetlock and stores elastic energy during stance; excessive strain at speed is linked to desmitis and fetlock breakdown risk.

Flight zone

The personal space around a horse; entering it causes the horse to move away, and understanding it guides safe, low-stress handling and approach.

Flehmen response

A lip curl that draws air into the vomeronasal organ to detect pheromones; it is a normal behavior and not an indicator of pain.

Horse Grimace Scale

A composite pain assessment tool scoring facial features such as ear position, eye tension, nostril shape, and muzzle tension to estimate pain in horses.

Five Domains model

A welfare framework covering nutrition, environment, health, behavior, and mental state; it is used to structure welfare assessment and management decisions.

Body condition score

A 1-9 scale (Henneke) assessing fat cover over the neck, ribs, and tailhead; 4-5 is ideal for most horses, with a separate cresty neck score.

Dry matter intake

The amount of feed consumed excluding water, typically 1.5-2.5% of body weight daily, with forage supplying at least 1% of body weight as long-stem roughage.

Progressive overload

A conditioning principle in which workload increases gradually with adequate recovery; tendons and bone adapt more slowly than muscle, so increases should be modest.

Electrolyte loss in sweat

Sweat is rich in sodium, potassium, chloride, and calcium; a working horse may lose several liters per hour, so replacement is needed in hot conditions.

AAEP lameness scale

A 0-5 grading system: 0 sound, 1 inconsistent at trot, 2 consistent at trot, 3 visible at walk, 4 obvious at walk, 5 non-weight-bearing.

Diagnostic analgesia

Nerve or joint blocks used to localize lameness; gait is reassessed after each block to determine which region is responsible for the pain.

Flexion test

A provocative test in which a joint is flexed for a set time and the horse is trotted; a positive response supports but does not confirm a diagnosis.

Tendon remodeling phase

The final healing stage in which controlled loading improves collagen alignment and strength; complete rest during this phase weakens the repair.

Cryotherapy

Application of cold to reduce tissue temperature, blood flow, and pain; typical sessions last 15-20 minutes with skin checks to prevent cold injury.

Therapeutic ultrasound

High-frequency sound waves used for deep heating and tissue repair; it is avoided over growth plates, the eye, tumors, and acute inflammation.

Photobiomodulation

Laser therapy delivering light energy measured in joules per square centimeter to reduce pain and promote healing; eye protection is required and neoplasia is a contraindication.

Hydrotherapy

Exercise in water, such as a pool or water treadmill, that reduces weight-bearing load; it is useful in early rehabilitation but must be supervised and matched to the injury.

SOAP note

A documentation format with Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan sections; each treatment session receives its own dated entry with parameters and response.

Goniometry

Measurement of joint range of motion using an instrument; repeated measurements help track rehabilitation progress and treatment response objectively.

Treatment plan components

A written plan including the working problem list, goals, modality and dose, frequency and duration, and scheduled re-evaluation dates.

Reassessment criteria

Criteria such as lameness grade, tissue response, function, and owner-reported outcome that determine whether a treatment plan should continue or change.

Kick zone

The area directly behind a horse where a kick can reach; handlers avoid it and approach from the shoulder or neck while announcing their presence.

Quick-release knot

A tie used to secure a horse that can be released quickly under load; it is tied at about head height to a secure object, never a fixed knot.

Informed consent

Explaining the proposed intervention, expected benefits, risks, alternatives, and costs, then documenting the owner's agreement before proceeding.

Scope of practice

The limits of an equine therapist's training and certification; the therapist does not diagnose, prescribe, or perform surgery, and refers to a veterinarian as needed.