magnetic therapy: physical therapy technique using magnetic fields tocreate a low energy electrical field. It causes dilation of the blood
vessels (vasodilation) and tissue stimulation. Magnetic therapy may be
used on soft tissue to treat such injuries as tendonitis or bony
(skeletal) injuries such as bucked shins.
maiden: 1) a horse or rider that has not won a race. 2) a female horse
that has never been bred.
that has never been bred.
malignant: referring to a cancerous growth: locally invasive and
destructive, and/or tending to spread to other areas of the body.
destructive, and/or tending to spread to other areas of the body.
mare: female horse five years old or older. In American Quarter horses,
four and older.
four and older.
martingale: piece of tack used to help the rider maintain control in
horses that evade the action of the bit by raising their head.
horses that evade the action of the bit by raising their head.
mash: soft, moist mixture, hot or cold, of bran, grain and other feed that
is easily digested by horses.
is easily digested by horses.
massage: rubbing of various parts of the anatomy to stimulate healing or
relaxation.
relaxation.
medial: pertaining to the middle in anatomy, nearer the media plane (the
vertical plane that bisects the center) of the body when viewed from in
front or behind.
vertical plane that bisects the center) of the body when viewed from in
front or behind.
melanoma: usually firm, smooth, hairless black nodules relatively common
in gray horses, most often found u der a horse’s tail, around his ear and
on his face near the main joint of his jaw. Some can grow aggressively,
causing erosions and spreading to adjacent lymph nodes and lungs. Most
melanomas grow slowly and are benign (don’t tend to spread to other
organs). Treatment is seldom recommended, as external melanomas often
return after surgical removal.
in gray horses, most often found u der a horse’s tail, around his ear and
on his face near the main joint of his jaw. Some can grow aggressively,
causing erosions and spreading to adjacent lymph nodes and lungs. Most
melanomas grow slowly and are benign (don’t tend to spread to other
organs). Treatment is seldom recommended, as external melanomas often
return after surgical removal.
metacarpal: usually refers to a fracture of the cannon bone, located
between the knee and the fetlock joint in the front leg. Also, may refer
to a fracture of the splint bone.
between the knee and the fetlock joint in the front leg. Also, may refer
to a fracture of the splint bone.
mid-body (fracture): see sesamoids.
midges, no-see-ums: tiny flies of the Culicoides family, considered
responsible for the warm-weather skin allergy called Sweet itch.
responsible for the warm-weather skin allergy called Sweet itch.
monorchid: a male horse of any age that has only one testicle in his
scrotum; the other testicle was either removed or is undescended. See
cryptorchid; ridgling.
scrotum; the other testicle was either removed or is undescended. See
cryptorchid; ridgling.
moon blindness: a disease of the uvea (the colored iris) inside the
eyeball. The uvea becomes inflamed (uveitis), which causes its muscles to
spasm, thereby constricting the pupil. Eye pain from uveitis is severe and
can cause squinting, tearing, excessive blinking and dangerous eye rubbing
(increasing the risk of eye trauma). If not resolved, uveitis can result
in permanent blindness. Treatment can include topical and systemic
medication to relieve pain and inflammation, relax the spasming and combat
possible infection.
eyeball. The uvea becomes inflamed (uveitis), which causes its muscles to
spasm, thereby constricting the pupil. Eye pain from uveitis is severe and
can cause squinting, tearing, excessive blinking and dangerous eye rubbing
(increasing the risk of eye trauma). If not resolved, uveitis can result
in permanent blindness. Treatment can include topical and systemic
medication to relieve pain and inflammation, relax the spasming and combat
possible infection.
musculoskeletal system: consisting of the bones, muscles, ligaments,
tendons and joints of the head, vertebral column and limbs, together with
the associated muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints.
tendons and joints of the head, vertebral column and limbs, together with
the associated muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints.
muzzle: 1) nose and lips of a horse. 2) a guard placed over a horse’s
mouth to prevent it from biting or eating.
mouth to prevent it from biting or eating.
nasogastric tube: a long tube that is capable of reaching from the nose to
the stomach used to administer medications.
navicular bone: a small, flat bone within the hoof that helps, along with
the short pastern bone and the coffin bone, to make up the coffin joint.
the short pastern bone and the coffin bone, to make up the coffin joint.
navicular disease: a degenerative disease that affects the navicular bone
(small bone in the back of the foot), navicular bursa and deep digital
flexor tendon. Generally considered a disease of the front feet. Both
front feet are often affected, but one will usually be more noticeable
than the other.
(small bone in the back of the foot), navicular bursa and deep digital
flexor tendon. Generally considered a disease of the front feet. Both
front feet are often affected, but one will usually be more noticeable
than the other.
near side: left side of a horse; side on which a horse is mounted.
nerve block: injection of local anesthetic in the vicinity of a specific
nerve to deaden the region for which that nerve provides sensation and
motor function. Nerve blocks are used to diagnose lameness, to allow
pain-free surgery on an awake patient, to paralyze specific body parts
(e.g. to paralyze a wounded eyelid so it will hold for repair) and to
relax internal muscles. Depending on the local anesthetic used, effects
can last from 20 minutes to eight hours.
nerve to deaden the region for which that nerve provides sensation and
motor function. Nerve blocks are used to diagnose lameness, to allow
pain-free surgery on an awake patient, to paralyze specific body parts
(e.g. to paralyze a wounded eyelid so it will hold for repair) and to
relax internal muscles. Depending on the local anesthetic used, effects
can last from 20 minutes to eight hours.
neurectomy: a surgical procedure in which the nerve supply to the
navicular area is removed. The toe and remainder of the foot have feeling.
Also referred to as “posterior digital neurectomy” or “heel nerve.”
navicular area is removed. The toe and remainder of the foot have feeling.
Also referred to as “posterior digital neurectomy” or “heel nerve.”
night blindness: an inherited vision problem that, although present at
birth, might not be noticed until later in life. Signs can include
reluctance to move when it’s dark, head cocking as though trying to hear
what can’t be seen, star gazing and a cross-eyed appearance when viewed
from the front. There is no known treatment.
birth, might not be noticed until later in life. Signs can include
reluctance to move when it’s dark, head cocking as though trying to hear
what can’t be seen, star gazing and a cross-eyed appearance when viewed
from the front. There is no known treatment.
night eyes: see chestnuts.
non-sweater: see anhydrosis.
noseband: a leather strap that goes over the bridge of a horse’s nose to
help secure the bridle. A dropped noseband, flash noseband and
figure-eight (or grackle) noseband have a strap that fits under the rings
of the bit to prevent the horse from resisting the action of the bit by
opening its mouth. This keeps the tongue from sliding over the bit.
help secure the bridle. A dropped noseband, flash noseband and
figure-eight (or grackle) noseband have a strap that fits under the rings
of the bit to prevent the horse from resisting the action of the bit by
opening its mouth. This keeps the tongue from sliding over the bit.
From: www.aaep.org