Hallmarq manufactures the only MRI system that allows scans of the equine foot and lower limb to be done in a standing position without general anaesthesia. This unique ability has come about as the result of years of research and development.

But why is this an advantage?

Firstly and most importantly, a large published study into anaesthetic deaths in horses¹ concluded that there is a 1% risk of death from anaesthesia in healthy horses. This means that with other MRI systems -where your horse must be anaesthetised- there is a small but significant risk to his or her life.

This risk is of course multiplied if follow-up MRI scans are required.

While it is necessary to sedate the horse for a standing MRI in order to ensure no movement and good image quality, the procedure is quicker than when full anaesthesia is required resulting in safer more cost-effective scans.

A recent study at the Animal Health trust comparing results using the Hallmarq standing MRI system and a ‘high field’ anaesthetised system concluded that there was no difference in diagnostic ability² .

¹ Johnston G.M., Taylor P.M., Holmes M.A. and Wood J.L.N. (1995) Confidential enquiry of peri-operative equine fatalities (CEPEF): preliminary results. Equine vet J 27 193-200R 

²C. Murray, T. S. Mair, C. E. Sherlock and A. S. Blunden (2009) Comparison of high‐field and low‐field  magnetic resonance images of cadaver limbs of horses, Veterinary Record 165, 281-288