Unpacking Equine Diagnostics: Alison Talbot BVM&S, CertEP, CertES(Orth), DIp ACVSMR, Dip ECVDI, FHEA, MRCVS

Mark Trussler and co-host Jay Tovey introduce The Farrier Project and interview Alison Talbot, a veterinary surgeon and equine orthopedics clinician at the University of Liverpool with a background in diagnostic imaging, FEI showjumping and dressage work, and farriery examinations. Alison discusses the benefits and drawbacks of moving between practices, and how referral work affects client relationships, noting remedial farriery cases often require repeat visits before returning to the horse’s own farrier. The conversation focuses on links between farriery, shoeing intervals, foot balance and lameness, and how radiographs should be taken and assessed, including limb positioning, blocks, markers, and image quality. Alison compares radiography with MRI, CT, scintigraphy, venograms, thermography, and ultrasound, outlining when each is useful and how newer imaging has changed understanding and management of conditions like navicular disease.