Showing how to maximize performance in horses, The Athletic Horse: Principles and Practice of Equine Sports Medicine, 2nd Edition describes sports training regimens and how to reduce musculoskeletal injuries. Practical coverage addresses the anatomical and physiological basis of equine exercise and performance, centering on evaluation, imaging, pharmacology, and training recommendations for sports such as racing and show jumping. Now in full color, this edition includes new rehabilitation techniques, the latest imaging techniques, and the best methods for equine transportation. Written by expert educators Dr. David Hodgson, Dr. Catherine McGowan, and Dr. Kenneth McKeever, with a panel of highly qualified contributing authors.

Section I: Structure Considerations in Equine Sports Medicine 1. An Overview of Performance and Sports Medicine 2. Comparative Aspects of Exercise Physiology Section II: Physiology of Exercise and Performance 3. Energetic Considerations of Exercise  4. Nutrition of the Performance Horse 5. Hematology and Biochemistry 6. Physiology of Acid-Base Balance and Fluid Shifts with Exercise 7. Endocrine and Immune Responses to Exercise and Training 8. Thermoregulation 9. The Respiratory System: Anatomy, Physiology, and Adaptations to Exercise and Training 10. Transport of Horses 11. The Cardiovascular System: Anatomy, Physiology, and Adaptations to Exercise and Training 12. Muscle: Anatomy, Physiology, and Adaptations to Exercise and Training 13. Tendon, Ligament, Bone, and Cartilage: Anatomy, Physiology, and Adaptations to Exercise and Training 14. Age and Disuse in Athletes: Effects of Detraining, Spelling, Injury, and Age Section III: Biomechanics/Kinematics and Performance 15. Conformation 16. The Biomechanics of Equine Locomotion 17. Kinematics of the Equine Back and Pelvis 18. Functional Biomechanics: The Effect of the Rider and Track Section IV: Practical Exercise Physiology 19. Training Regimens: Physiologic Adaptations to Training 20. Training Tthe Thoroughbred Racehorse 21. Training Standardbred Trotters and Pacers 22. Training Endurance Horses 23. Training the Event Horse 24. Dressage Tests, Movements, and Training: A Primer  25. Training Show Jumpers 26. Training the Working Horse 27. Training the Racing Quarterhorse 28. Evaluation of Performance Potential 29. Clinical Exercise Testing and Investigation of Poor Performance