Six in 10 UK horse owners don’t instinctively connect MRI with lameness, according to initial findings from a survey carried out by Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging
UK Horse Owners Missing Key Lameness Clue? New Free Hub Aims To Close Loop
2 weeks ago 
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First‑look findings show only 16 per cent of UK horse owners questioned in survey spontaneously link MRI with lameness, as Hallmarq launches free online educational hub
When a horse goes lame, every day without a clear diagnosis can mean delayed recovery, ineffective treatments or long‑term damage.
Yet initial findings from a new UK‑led survey of horse owners suggest a striking blind spot.
The research, conducted by standing equine MRI pioneer Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging, found that just 16 per cent of UK horse owners spontaneously mentioned MRI when asked what tests a vet might use for unexplained lameness.
That compares with similarly low unprompted recall for X‑rays (21 per cent).
However, when shown a list of diagnostic options, 60 per cent recognised MRI – a 44‑point gap between prompted and unprompted awareness.
This pattern, drawn from an initial sample of more than 50 UK horse owners within a wider respondent survey of almost 200 across the United Kingdom and US, suggests while owners know the technology exists, many have not yet instinctively connected it to their horse’s lameness.
Even when a vet recommends a standing MRI, UK owners reported the lowest likelihood of agreeing of all regions surveyed, with cost cited as the primary barrier.
The result, vets say, is that horses risk going undiagnosed for longer, receiving repeated or ineffective treatments, and facing slower or less complete returns to health.
In response to these indicative findings, Hallmarq has launched Talk Lameness , a free online educational hub designed specifically for UK horse owners.
“Delayed or incomplete diagnosis can mean longer periods out of work, repeated treatments that don’t address the underlying problem, and, in some cases, long‑term damage which could have been avoided,” said Holly Johnson, equine clinical product manager at Hallmarq.
“An accurate diagnosis is not a luxury – it’s the foundation of effective care. Even with a modest sample, the gap we saw was so large that it’s unlikely to be random. That’s worth acting on now.”
Unlike traditional equine MRI, Hallmarq’s standing MRI is performed under sedation rather than general anaesthetic – removing significant welfare and financial risks.
“UK horse owners know what MRI is. Many have experienced an MRI themselves,” added Holly.
“What they haven’t had is a clear, trustworthy explanation of how it applies to their horse – and how to have that conversation with their vet. That’s exactly the gap Talk Lameness is designed to fill.”
The free platform includes:
- ‘Is My Horse Lame?’ quiz – helping owners spot subtle signs often mistaken for resistance or training issues
- Knowledge hub – expert articles on nerve blocks, scintigraphy, and what happens during a standing MRI
- Webinar series – short videos from leading equine vets on lunging for lameness, the role of MRI, and preparing for a vet visit
- Downloadable resources – practical tools to track changes and communicate more effectively with vets
To test your own knowledge, explore the myth‑busting resources and become more confident in spotting the signs, visit https://talklameness.org/.
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