Sports Med Vet is a specialist equine veterinary service offering ambulatory sports medicine consultations, athletic work-ups and advanced diagnostics for sports and race horses in Canterbury and wider New Zealand. We also provide tailored rehabilitation programs to optimise your horse’s recovery post-surgery or injury.
Dr Johnston is the only equine vet specialist in Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation in the South Island, NZ. International expertise, extensive experience and a personalised approach make her the ideal choice to look after your horse’s performance and rehab needs, whatever the discipline.
We believe in being proactive, rather than reactive, to keep your horse in the best shape possible. Peak performance and injury reduction is achieved by working with you and your horse’s regular vet, trainer, farrier and physiotherapist to regularly monitor your horse’s athletic career and progress.
With cutting edge equipment, Sports Med Vet provides tailored specialist exams that can be done both at rest and during exercise, in real working conditions.
Peak performance and a successful athletic career don’t happen by chance – they take teamwork and focused, consistent expertise and attention
Pre-Purchase Examinations
Includes complete physical examination and comprehensive soundness evaluation +/- high-quality diagnostic imaging and ridden assessment – with knowledgeable ‘risk analysis’ discussion and specifically tailored to your requirements.
Performance and Lameness
Specialist sports medicine consultations to maximise or maintain your horse’s performance and wellbeing, whatever their athletic career.
Tailored Rehab Programs
Every horse has unique therapeutic and athletic needs – rehabilitation is not one-size-fits-all. For the best outcomes, rehab must be tailored to the individual and regularly monitored and updated as the horse progresses.
Specialist Referrals
Working with your regular vet, trainer, farrier and physiotherapist to achieve the best for your horse.
Diagnostic Imaging
Top-quality diagnostic equipment, including digital radiography (x-ray), ultrasound, ECG and endoscopy. Expertise in image acquisition and interpretation, including for sales and pre-purchase.
Cardiology
Comprehensive assessment of resting and exercising cardiac function – echocardiography (cardiac ultrasound) and electrocardiogram (ECG). Investigation of heart murmurs, heart arrhythmias and reduced performance/ exercise intolerance.
Exercise Testing
Assessments of the horse while exercising to evaluate and plan training, diagnose subclinical disease and follow the horse’s recovery after competition or intensive work. We measure heart rate, lactate, ECG and GPS parameters, including speed and stride length/asymmetry.
Shockwave Therapy
For treatment, pain relief and improved healing in musculoskeletal problems and soft-tissue and bone injuries.