Page 11 - ACT Annual Review 2023-2024

OUR IMPACT ON

EQUINE EQUINES
TEACHING MODELS

Equine models are extremely important and vital to the
students learning when practicing a new skill. They also
have a positive impact on the horse’s welfare as it reduces
the amount of ‘teaching time’ with live animals. The ACT
funded two realistic, life size equine models and four equine
model limbs to allow students the time to practise handling
skills and important equine husbandry at their own pace and
feel comfortable in their ability before handling live horses.

The Distal Limb Multi-Component Model (MCM) is a novel computed tomography (CT), have revealed injuries to soft
teaching and learning tool to promote knowledge of the tissue structures in the distal limb that cannot be visualised
structure and function of the equine distal limb. It consists with radiography or ultrasonography.
of durable polyurethane replicas of bones, ligaments, Traditionally, the anatomy and the disorders in the area
tendons and cartilages that are assembled in their correct is taught to veterinary students by dissecting equine
anatomical position using a system of sockets and plugs.
cadaver distal limbs. Whereas this cannot be completely
A thorough understanding of the anatomy of the equine replaced, the use of sustainable, less wasteful resources
distal limb is important for veterinary surgeons because for teaching the complex anatomy of the equine distal
up to 95% of forelimb lameness in horses originates from limb is encouraged. Being able to deconstruct the model
distal to the knee. Additionally, advanced diagnostic imaging and rebuild it piece by piece provides a unique learning
modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and opportunity that cannot be achieved with cadaver limbs,
and gives students a much better understanding of the
complex equine distal limb anatomy.

TSE treatment Distal limb model
being administered

11