Think your horse is hot stuff? Then a thermal image of him could be just the thing to top your Christmas wish list.

 Equitherm Diagnostics uses hand-held infrared cameras to photograph horses to detect irregularities in their thermal patterns for veterinary purposes — a process known as equine thermography.

 Irregularities show up as hot or cold spots and can be an early indication of injury or illness. Unlike conventional X-rays and MRI scans, Infrared Thermographic Imaging has the advantage of not using any radiation and is therefore perfectly safe for the horse and the handler.

But the images produced have proved so attractive that many customers are asking for printouts to frame or give as gifts.

Sandie Chambers, director of Equitherm, explained: “When owners see the images they are amazed by how the camera presents the horse in such a unique way.

 ”The colours and shapes create a fantastic image and have proven so popular we’ve started offering them as a new service.”

Visit http://www.equitherm.com/index.aspx for more information