Letter from the CEO: Fall 2019

Dear reader,

In our feature story this edition, Eye on Objectivity goes back to where it all began – about 25 years ago when Kevin G. Keegan, DVM, MS, DACVS began studying equine lameness with a goal of providing repeatable and measurable care driven by science and technology. Last month, the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) honored Dr. Keegan with the opportunity to share his work – not only for Q users, but for EVERY veterinarian who provides equine lameness care.  Veterinarians trained and using our technology understand how significant Dr. Keegan’s accomplishments have been and how successful the technology and techniques are in achieving those aspirations. For those unfamiliar or unable to attend, Dr. Laurie Tyrrell-Schroeder recaps his 2019 ACVS Surgery Summit Keynote presentation.

In addition, we revisit several topics for Q users and those learning about lameness measurement.   From understanding baseline asymmetry and the inherent stride-to-stride and trial-to-trial variation, to explaining the advantages to your clients, this edition confronts common misperceptions, and presents the scientific conclusions learned in "20+ Years of Measuring Lameness in Horses".    

As I wrote last quarter, becoming an expert with the technology is not a simple task.  If a veterinarian is not skilled with the technology, it can be daunting.   

I think back to the impending birth of my son in 2005.  The brand-new GE ultrasound our pediatrician used provided sensitivity the medical team had not seen before.  They were able to discriminate tiny prenatal perturbations in the heart, causing alarm and resulting in a cardiology referral. After further examination, the cardiologist assured us that our son’s heart was developing normally.  There were unsettling days between the initial ultrasound and the cardio visit, but we did not fault the pediatrician for using the best ultrasound technology available.  We were grateful we erred on the side of caution.  I suspect the primary pediatric team learned something from that episode – seeing aspects previously invisible with less capable technology and deepening their understanding of prenatal cardiac development.   

Our mission is to help veterinarians provide the most objective and efficient biomechanical care.   

Best regards,

Andy Wolter

Equinosis CEO