Equine Thermal Imaging Services
in Southwest Michigan
Marquis Farrier Service provides equine thermal imaging to assist with identifying areas of inflammation, compensation, and abnormal heat patterns. Thermal imaging is a non-invasive tool used to support hoof care decisions, training evaluations, and overall soundness monitoring.
Thermal imaging services are available throughout Allegan County and surrounding areas and are often used alongside farrier services and horse training to help track changes over time and guide responsible care decisions.
ADDITIONAL EDUCATION SECTION
DISCLAIMER
What Thermal Imaging Is
Thermal imaging measures heat at the skin’s surface, not bones or internal structures. Acute inflammation often appears clearly, while chronic or long-standing issues may show little or no surface heat as the body adapts and compensates. Conditions involving the spine, joints, or deeper tissues may require additional evaluation, such as radiographs or veterinary examination, to fully understand what is occurring beneath the surface.
How I Use it in my Hoof Care
& Training
I use thermal imaging as a support tool to help monitor changes in circulation, load, and stress patterns related to hoof balance, trimming cycles, and training demands. When combined with hands-on hoof care, movement evaluation, and training history, thermal imaging can help guide trimming intervals, identify developing compensations, and track how a horse responds over time—before small issues turn into bigger problems.
Thermal imaging does not diagnose medical conditions. It is used to observe surface temperature patterns and should be interpreted alongside hands-on evaluation, training history, trimming cycles, and veterinary diagnostics when needed.
When Heat Patterns Matter — and When They Don’t”
Heat patterns matter most when they are consistent, localized, and repeatable over time. Areas that show ongoing asymmetry, increasing intensity, or clear contrast from one side to the other can indicate uneven loading, compensation, inflammation, or stress related to hoof balance, trimming intervals, saddle fit, or training demands. When tracked alongside movement, hoof condition, and recent work
history, these patterns can help guide management decisions and early adjustments.
“When Heat Patterns Don’t Tell the Whole Story”
Not all heat patterns indicate injury or pain. Temporary warmth can be influenced by recent exercise, footing, weather conditions, grooming, or normal circulation. Some deeper issues may also exist without showing clear surface heat changes. For this reason, thermal imaging is used as a screening and monitoring tool, not a standalone diagnosis. Findings are always interpreted alongside movement evaluation, hoof condition, trimming history, and—when appropriate—veterinary input. I am trained and Certified to read thermal patterns in animals.
Thermal imaging is a non-invasive screening tool that highlights surface temperature patterns and asymmetries. While it can be helpful in identifying areas of concern, it does not diagnose medical conditions. Some issues—especially deep, structural, or chronic conditions such as kissing spine—may not always produce visible thermal changes. For this reason, thermal imaging should be used alongside physical exams, performance history, and veterinary diagnostics when appropriate.
Thermal Imaging Video Gallery
PIR-206_15
Thermal imaging services may be coordinated alongside farrier visits when appropriate
as part of an overall hoof care approach.