VETERINARY FORENSICS - FORENSIC PATHOLOGY IN HIGH-VALUE INSURED HORSES: INJURIES AND POSTMORTEM CHANGES IN INSURANCE CLAIM CASES

Abstract

High-value competition horses represent significant financial investments, making proper documentation and assessment of injuries particularly important in insurance claim cases. This review paper examines the pathological manifestations, forensic investigation methods and protective measures relevant to these situations. The review paper explores common pathological conditions affecting performance horses, diagnostic approaches for disease progression and forensic veterinary analysis techniques for characterising injury patterns. The distinction between accidental trauma and non-accidental injuries is examined through tissue damage patterns and the relationship between injuries and reported incidents. Emphasis is placed on systematic pathological examination methods, evidence collection and documentation processes used for insurance and legal contexts. Special attention is given to soring practices and their diagnostic indicators. Soring involves the intentional infliction of pain to a horse's legs or hooves in order to force the horse to perform an artificial, exaggerated gait. Understanding injury types and their postmortem characteristics helps veterinarians working with insurance companies and legal authorities provide accurate assessments. This supports animal welfare protection and objective evaluation in these cases.