The Soundness Check

Joint injections are a valuable tool in equine sports medicine—but they shouldn't be considered routine maintenance or performed simply because a horse is "due." Every injection should begin with a thorough clinical examination and a clear understanding of what problem is being treated.
In this episode of The Soundness Check, Dr. Michelle Correia and Dr. Rachel Buchholz discuss the role of joint injections in equine sports medicine. They explore common misconceptions surrounding injections, why treatment decisions should always begin with a thorough clinical examination, and how veterinarians determine whether a horse is an appropriate candidate. The conversation also touches on the different categories of injectable therapies and how factors such as diagnosis, workload, and long-term performance goals influence treatment choices.
Because successful sports medicine isn't about injecting a horse because they're "due"—it's about understanding the horse in front of you and choosing the right treatment at the right time.

Overriding dorsal spinous processes—often referred to as "kissing spines"—can be an intimidating diagnosis for any horse owner. But what does it actually mean, and how does it influence performance?
In this episode of The Soundness Check, Dr. Michelle Correia and Dr. Rachel Buchholz discuss what overriding dorsal spinous processes are, why imaging findings don't always tell the whole story, and how clinical signs, physical examination, and rehabilitation all play an important role in determining the best treatment plan.

Because a diagnosis is only one piece of the puzzle—and understanding the whole horse is what leads to the best decisions.

**Quick disclaimer before you jump in: you'll hear Dr. Michelle accidentally say 'overarching spinous processes' a few times throughout this episode. We promise she means overriding dorsal spinous processes—sometimes even sports medicine brains get ahead of themselves!**

Rehabilitation comes in many forms, but not all rehab plans are created equal.
In this episode of The Soundness Check, Dr. Michelle Correia and Dr. Rachel Buchholz compare and contrast the human and equine rehabilitation worlds while discussing the green flags and red flags they look for in a rehab plan. From passive treatments and exercise selection to communication, progression, and measurable goals, they break down what effective rehabilitation should actually look like.
Whether you're recovering from an injury yourself or helping your horse return to performance, this episode will help you ask better questions and understand what separates a thoughtful rehabilitation program from one that may not be setting you up for long-term success.

When performance changes show up, it’s not always easy to know where the problem is coming from. Is it a training limitation, a communication issue, fatigue, weakness—or an underlying medical concern? And how do you start telling the difference?
In this episode of The Soundness Check, Dr. Michelle Correia and Dr. Rachel Buchholz unpack how they evaluate performance or behavior changes in sport horses. They discuss the subtle signs that can point toward a medical issue, as well as the situations where training, workload, or communication may be contributing to the problem instead.
Because not every change in behavior under saddle requires medical intervention—but involving your team early when something changes can make all the difference in catching issues before they become bigger problems.

In the Season 2 premiere of The Soundness Check, Dr. Michelle Correia and Dr. Rachel Buchholz dive into best practices around diagnostic imaging in the sport horse, including when imaging is helpful, how to avoid over-interpreting findings, and why clinical context matters just as much as the image itself. Sponsored by Hallmarq Standing Equine MRI, this episode explores how advanced imaging fits into modern sports medicine and how riders, trainers, and owners can get the most out of the diagnostic process.
Because imaging should support decision-making—not replace it.