Manejo, medicina preventiva, diagnóstico y tratamiento de lesiones y enfermedades en equinos de alto rendimiento de la unidad de caballería del pentathlón deportivo militarizado universitario de la cdmx

Abstract

This report describes the activities carried out during my social service at the cavalry unit of the Pentathlón Deportivo Militarizado Universitario (PDMU) in Mexico City, focused on management, preventive medicine, diagnosis, and clinical care of high-performance horses. These horses, considered athletes, are subjected to high physical demands that increase the risk of musculoskeletal, respiratory, and metabolic disorders; therefore, they require comprehensive, continuous, and specialized veterinary care. The general objective was to contribute to the welfare, health, and physical performance of the horses through proper and ethical management. To achieve this, diagnostic, preventive, nutritional control, and individualized clinical follow-up strategies were implemented. The methodology combined clinical observation with practical intervention both in the arena and in the stables, involving approximately 15 to 25 horses used for competitive purposes. Among the activities performed, special emphasis was placed on horse handling and control in different environments, observing baseline behavior and responses during competitions (loading, transport, event performance, and return). General clinical evaluations were conducted before and after competitions, with no significant pathological findings. Estrus was identified in one mare; she was bred through assisted natural mating, and pregnancy was confirmed by ultrasound, followed by medical, nutritional, and pharmacological monitoring. Additionally, a hoof injury caused during shoeing was treated with local therapy and bandaging, and participation in an open castration procedure of an adult male horse was achieved, with satisfactory recovery. In preventive medicine, biosecurity practices, hoof cleaning, bedding replacement, and sanitary control were reinforced, although the need to update vaccination and deworming protocols was identified. In the locomotor assessment area, lameness due to trauma in a hind limb was detected and treated promptly, resulting in full recovery. Nutritional management included supervision of forage, concentrate, and water intake; an adverse reaction related to a sudden change in alfalfa supplier was detected, allowing immediate corrective action. Finally, individual clinical records were created and updated, strengthening analytical skills and decision-making capacity. In conclusion, this social service experience allowed the integration of theoretical knowledge with professional practice, reaffirming the importance of preventive medicine and comprehensive management to ensure the welfare and optimal performance of the equine athlete, successfully fulfilling the established objectives.

El presente informe describe las actividades realizadas durante el servicio social en la unidad de caballería del Pentathlón Deportivo Militarizado Universitario (PDMU) en la Ciudad de México, enfocadas en el manejo, medicina preventiva, diagnóstico y atención clínica de equinos de alto rendimiento. Estos caballos, considerados atletas, están sometidos a altas exigencias físicas que incrementan el riesgo de lesiones musculoesqueléticas, respiratorias y metabólicas, por lo que requieren una atención veterinaria integral, constante y especializada. El objetivo general fue contribuir al bienestar, salud y rendimiento físico de los equinos mediante un manejo adecuado y ético. Para ello, se implementaron estrategias de diagnóstico, prevención, control nutricional y seguimiento clínico individualizado. La metodología combinó la observación clínica con la intervención práctica en pista y caballeriza, abarcando aproximadamente entre 15 y 25 ejemplares destinados a actividades deportivas. Entre las actividades realizadas destacó el manejo y control del equino en distintos entornos, observando su comportamiento basal y durante competencias (embarque, transporte, evento y retorno). Se efectuaron valoraciones clínicas generales antes y después de competencias, sin hallazgos patológicos relevantes. Se identificó el celo de una hembra, se dio servicio por monta natural asistida y se confirmó la gestación mediante ultrasonido, estableciendo seguimiento médico, nutricional y farmacológico. Asimismo, se atendió una herida podal secundaria a herraje con tratamiento local y vendaje, y se participó en la castración abierta de un macho adulto, con evolución satisfactoria. En conclusión, el servicio social permitió integrar conocimientos teóricos con la práctica profesional, reafirmando la importancia de la medicina preventiva y del manejo integral para garantizar el bienestar y desempeño óptimo del caballo atleta, cumpliendo satisfactoriamente los objetivos planteados