An equine or large animal X-ray setup has four parts: a portable generator you can carry into a barn, a wireless digital radiography (DR) panel, a way to protect the panel and your team, and software that puts an image on screen quickly. This guide walks through how to evaluate each one, what makes field radiography different from clinic radiography, and what to ask before you buy.
If you’re comparing technologies in general, start with our guide to fixed, portable, and CR X-ray systems. This one is for the vet who works out of a truck.
Why field radiography is different
In a clinic, the room is built around the X-ray. In a barn, you build the X-ray around the horse.
- Power isn’t guaranteed. A cord, an extension, and a working outlet near the patient aren’t a given.
- Environments are rough. Dirt, moisture, cold, and the occasional dropped panel are part of the job.
- Patients move. Every retake costs time and adds dose, and the horse isn’t getting more patient.
- Everything has to travel. If it doesn’t fit in the truck and survive the bumps, it doesn’t work.
That’s why a field setup is judged on weight, durability, battery life, and speed to an image, not just image quality.
The generator: battery power and enough output
A portable generator for equine work should be lightweight, battery powered, and strong enough for the body part you’re imaging. Those goals pull against each other, so look at both weight and output.
- Poskom VET-20BT. A hybrid, lithium-ion battery generator that weighs under 15 lb, with a dual laser focused at a preset 26″ source-to-image distance. It delivers variable mA and 40 to 80 kV, with a 20 mA / 90 kV maximum rating and 1,600 W maximum output, and Poskom designed it with equine veterinarians in mind. Preset techniques, a collimator lamp, and a laser pointer are selected with a remote hand switch before exposure, and an optional wireless sync module works with a DR panel.
- Poskom PXP-40HF. A portable generator under 27 lb with enough penetration for shoulders, necks, and C-spine work, plus a built-in laser pointer and collimator for positioning.
The question to ask yourself is what you image most and how far you carry the gear. Thicker anatomy, like the upper limb, spine, or a large patient, needs more penetration than a foot does. Compare weight, battery operation, and the output range against your typical cases, and tell us about your caseload so we can match a generator to it.
The detector: wireless, rugged, and protected
A wireless DR panel is the heart of a modern field system. There’s no cassette to carry back and process, and the image appears on a laptop in seconds.
- Wireless panels. The Uveo 3500 Mixed Animal package includes a Vieworks wireless DR panel, available in two sizes (cesium detector only), a 15″ laptop, a WiFi adaptor, a carry case, and Metron software.
- Rugged construction. Intriquip’s Uveo 3500 page lists the panel as waterproof and shock resistant to IP67 (rated for 30 minutes of submersion at 1 m, and drop tested from 1 m). That matters when the panel spends its days on a barn floor.
- Protection. A panel cover like Lock N Secure, plus an equine tunnel, protects the detector under the hoof. An imaging tunnel keeps the panel off the ground and out of the dirt, and hoof calibration blocks help with precise equine hoof measurements.
Ask about panel size too: a larger panel suits more anatomy, and a smaller one is easier to position at the foot.
Packages for mixed animal and equine practice
If you’d rather buy a matched system than assemble one, we offer two packages in our veterinary X-ray packages category:
- Uveo 3500 Mixed Animal. Designed for companion and large animals, with a wireless setup for vets working with large animals or mobile practices.
- Uveo 3800 Large Animal Equine. Designed specifically for equine X-ray, wireless, portable, and compact.
You can also browse everything in our X-ray category, including the X-ray accessories that round out a field kit.
Software and workflow
The best hardware is frustrating with slow software. Ask:
- How quickly does the image appear after exposure?
- Can you see and annotate the image on a laptop in bright light?
- How are images stored, exported, and shared with clients and referral clinics?
- Does the software talk to the panel and the generator reliably?
Our digital X-ray systems guide and CR vs. DR comparison explain why most field practices choose DR, and our X-ray cost guide covers budgeting.
Radiation safety in the field
Working outside a lead-lined room puts more of the responsibility on you.
- Hand-held X-ray equipment is not permitted in Canada. The College of Veterinarians of Ontario states that hand-held X-ray equipment does not meet the requirements of the Radiation Emitting Devices Regulation. Portable and mobile units are allowed in mobile facilities.
- Don’t hold cassettes or panels by hand during an exposure. The CVO’s guidance for portable and mobile equipment says not to hold film cassettes by hand during an exposure. Use holders, tunnels, or stands.
- Use distance and protection. Step back from the beam, wear lead aprons and thyroid collars, and use the remote switch your generator provides.
- Know your province’s rules. Requirements and inspections vary by province. See the CVO’s radiation safety page and Health Canada’s Safety Code 28.
Our guides on veterinary X-ray radiation safety in Canada and hands-free X-ray technique cover the day-to-day habits.
Looking after a field system
Panels, batteries, and generators take a beating on the road. Keep spare batteries charged, protect the panel in transit, and schedule regular checks. Our repair team offers phone support and repairs, our inspection service covers preventative maintenance and X-ray compliance, and the Just Works service plan puts it on a schedule. We provide sales, service, and support across Canada.
Questions to ask before you buy
- What does the package include: generator, panel, laptop, software, case, and protection?
- How heavy is each piece, and will it fit your truck and your routine?
- What’s the battery life per charge, and can you carry a spare?
- Is the panel rated for water, dust, and drops?
- Who services the system, and is a loaner available?
- What training is included?
If you’re budgeting, financing is available, and certified used equipment can be an option. For a quote, request one here.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the best portable X-ray machine for horses? It depends on your caseload, and we’d rather match a unit to your work than name one winner. The Poskom VET-20BT is a lightweight battery generator designed with equine veterinarians in mind, and the PXP-40HF has enough penetration for shoulders, necks, and C-spine work. Pair either with a wireless DR panel.
Is hand-held X-ray equipment legal in Canada? No. Hand-held X-ray equipment doesn’t meet the requirements of the Radiation Emitting Devices Regulation and isn’t permitted in Canada. Portable and mobile units, used with the right precautions, are allowed in mobile facilities.
Do I need a DR panel or can I use CR in the field? Most field practices choose a wireless DR panel because the image appears right away and there’s no cassette to process. See our CR vs. DR comparison for the trade-offs.
What detector size should I choose for equine work? It depends on the anatomy you image most. A larger panel covers more of the limb, and a smaller one is easier to place at the foot. Our Uveo 3500 package offers its wireless panel in two sizes.
What should I protect a DR panel with in a barn? Use a protective cover and an imaging tunnel to keep the panel off the floor and out of the dirt, and handle it carefully in transit.
How much does an equine X-ray system cost? It depends on the generator, panel, and software you choose. See our X-ray cost guide, or request a quote for a specific package.