Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Topic:Bones
The skeletal system in horses comprises a complex structure of bones that provide support, protection, and mobility. Equine bones are involved in various physiological functions, including mineral storage and hematopoiesis. The bone structure in horses is categorized into different types, such as long bones, short bones, flat bones, and irregular bones, each serving specific roles in movement and stability. Research in this area explores topics such as bone development, remodeling, and the impact of nutrition and exercise on bone health. This page gathers peer-reviewed studies and academic articles that focus on the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of bones in horses, offering insights into conditions such as fractures, bone diseases, and the effects of aging on the equine skeletal system.
Periosteal transection of the proximal phalanx in foals with angular limb deformities of the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal area. Bilateral angular limb deformities of the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal regions in 2 foals are discussed. Periosteal transection was used to correct the deformity in both foals. In one foal, only the right forelimb was treated because the deformity in the left forelimb did not appear to warrant surgery. Subsequently, an angular limb deformity, which could have been prevented, developed in the left forelimb. A third foal developed a deformity in the proximal phalanx after periosteal transection of the distal third metatarsal bone.
In vivo bone strain in the equine tibia before and after transection of the peroneus tertius muscle. The present study was undertaken to determine the influence of the peroneus tertius muscle on the loading regime of the tibia in the horse. Strain gauge rosettes were bonded to the cranial and caudal cortices of the left and right tibiae in six Shetland ponies. In vivo bone strain recordings were made before and after unilateral transection of the peroneus tertius muscle. Relatively large individual variations in response to transection were observed in both the experimental and the contralateral control limbs. The principal strain values on the cranial and caudal cortices increased during the...
Use of cancellous bone graft in treatment of navicular bone osteomyelitis in a foal. A 3-month-old Quarter Horse filly stepped on a fence staple and developed navicular bone osteomyelitis of the right hindfoot. A 1.5-cm spherical portion of medullary cavity containing purulent material was debrided and flushed with 0.9% NaCl solution. Cancellous bone was collected from a caudal sternebra and placed into the defect. The solar defect had filled with granulation tissue and was epithelialized 6 weeks after surgery. At 6-month follow-up evaluation, the navicular bone defect had healed and the foal was sound on the limb. Cancellous bone grafting may have merit for the treatment of n...
Periosteal transection and stripping for treatment of angular limb deformities in foals: radiographic observations. Radiographs of 23 foals (35 forelimbs) with carpal region angular limb deformities, which later were corrected by hemicircumferential transection of the periosteum and periosteal stripping, were evaluated as to geometric and morphologic abnormalities. Geometric evaluation included deviation angle and deviation pivot point. Morphologic abnormalities were categorized as: asymmetric width of the distal radial physis; asymmetric width of the distal radial epiphysis; carpal bone collapse or fracture; carpal bone hypoplasia; carpal bone displacement; and metacarpal bone displacement. Fifty-seven per...
Fracture of the greater tubercle of the humerus in a filly. A fracture of the caudal portion of the greater tubercle of the humerus was diagnosed in a 16-month-old Thoroughbred filly. Initially the fracture caused severe lameness. Radiography of the affected shoulder revealed the fracture fragment to be extra-articular, with a surrounding bony callus and no evidence of joint disease. After 5 weeks rest in a stall and 11 months at pasture, the filly was trained and raced without lameness.
Occipitoatlantoaxial malformation in two non-Arabian horses. Occipitoatlantoaxial malformation was diagnosed in a 19-month-old mare of Appaloosa breeding and in a 3-year-old Quarter Horse gelding. Both horses had abnormal head and neck carriage since birth, but neurologic deficits did not become evident clinically until the horses reached 2 and 3 years of age, respectively. Palpation and manipulation of the base of the skull and cervical area proved to be useful diagnostically. Movement could not be elicited at the atlantooccipital joint but, in comparison with clinically normal horses, the range of dorsoventral motion at the atlantoaxial joint was incr...
Osteochondritis dissecans of the sagittal ridge of the third metacarpal and metatarsal bones in horses. Osteochondritis dissecans of the sagittal ridge of the third metacarpal and metatarsal bones was diagnosed in 8 horses during an 18-month period. Seven of the horses were less than or equal to 2 1/2 years old. Synovial distention of the affected fetlock joints and a pain response to fetlock flexion were typical findings. Lameness predominated in 1 limb at a trot, although fetlock flexion frequently elicited lameness in other affected limbs. Radiography revealed bony lesions (flattening, erosion, or fragmentation) of the sagittal ridge in at least 2 fetlock joints in all horses. The onset of si...
Radial-intermediate Carpal Bone Fusion in a Horse. The radial carpal and intermediate carpal bones were found to be fused in a four year old Quarterhorse stallion having a subtle forelimb lameness. Clinical examination, diagnostic local anesthesia, radiography and arthroscopy were used to arrive at the diagnosis. A cause could not be established, although perinatal deformation of cartilagenous carpal bone templates is suspected. A similar case of carpal bone fusion was found among carpi collected for an anatomical study, indicating this condition may be more common than expected. Clinicians should carefully evaluate the flexed lateral view of ...
Complete ulnas and fibulas in a pony foal. Complete ulnas and fibulas were found in a 10-month-old Welsh Pony examined because of severe flexural deformity, with carpal and tarsal valgus deformities, in all limbs. Presence of these normally vestigial structures is considered a form of atavism. At one week of age, periosteal transection was performed for the angular deformity, resulting in no improvement. When performing this procedure, the authors recommend transection of these vestigial structures if present.
Musculoskeletal disorders in neonatal foals. Angular limb deformities are not uncommon in foals. Mild angular deviation due to laxity of supporting soft tissues often resolves spontaneously. However, external splinting or casting may be needed in severe cases or in those that do not resolve. When incomplete ossification of carpal or tarsal bones is the cause of the limb deformity, external support is mandatory to prevent further deformation and abnormal development of the bones. When epiphyseal and metaphyseal abnormalities cause axial deviation, surgical intervention is usually necessary. Circumferential periosteal transection and/or tr...
Ultrasound as a tool for assessment of bone quality in the horse. A simple non-invasive method is described for calculating the transverse apparent velocity of sound of horse bone. This was achieved, both in vivo and at post mortem examination using the metacarpal bone and its covering soft tissue. On 34 post mortem specimens (ie, 68 limbs) from horses older than one year an average measurement of 2802 +/- 37 (1sd) m/sec was obtained. There were changes noted according to age and at different sites on the shaft of the metacarpus. The highest readings were obtained in the proximal shaft where the cortex was thickest. The velocity values gradually decreased to...
Contribution of the nasal septum to the radiographic anatomy of the equine nasal cavity. The radiopacity of the equine cartilaginous nasal septum and its covering mucosa seen on dorsoventral radiographs was determined to be of sufficient density to be useful in the diagnosis of any disorder of this anatomic structure. Radiographically, the frontal and nasal bones dorsally and the vomer and palatine process of the incisive bone ventrally do not completely obscure the nasal septum and its covering mucous membrane.
Noncomminuted fractures of the proximal phalanx in 69 horses. In a retrospective study, we examined the case records for 69 horses with noncomminuted fractures of the proximal phalanx, excluding proximal chip fractures. Forty-nine of the horses sustained the fracture while racing or training for racing. Radiographic examination of all affected limbs was performed, and fractures were classified into 6 noncomminuted types: midsagittal fractures, including short incomplete midsagittal fractures, long incomplete midsagittal (LIMS) fractures, and complete midsagittal (CMS) fractures; dorsal frontal fractures; distal joint fractures; plantar process fractures;...
Tarsal osteomyelitis in foals. Nine foals with haematogenous osteomyelitis of the tarsal bones were studied clinically, radiologically and pathologically. Clinical examination, including aspiration of articular or periarticular effusions in the tarsal area, and radiological study provide definitive diagnosis in most cases.
Fascial compartments of the equine crus. The deep fascia of the equine crus was dissected grossly and separated into 2 layers, the superficial and deep laminae of the deep fascia. Attachments of these fascial laminae to the tibia and fibula formed 5 separate osteofascial compartments: cranial, lateral, caudal deep, caudal intermediate, and caudal superficial. Cranial tibial vessels and the deep peroneal nerve entered the cranial compartment through separate fascial hiatuses; this may predispose the equine crus to the occurrence of compartmental syndromes with clinically recognizable neural deficits.
Sixteen fractures of the shoulder region in the horse. The clinical and radiological features of fractures of the shoulder region in 16 horses are described. High quality radiographic views were essential for an accurate diagnosis. This sometimes necessitated general anaesthesia. The limitations of radiography are discussed. Nine horses had articular fractures of the supraglenoid tuberosity and eight of these were destroyed because of persistent lameness. The possibility of surgical removal of the fracture fragment(s) is discussed and the importance of early diagnosis emphasised. Seven other fractures of the shoulder region are described. The clin...
A retrospective study of head fractures in 21 horses. The clinical features of 21 horses which sustained head fractures are reviewed. There was a higher incidence of fractures in males and Standardbred horses. Surgical treatment was practical and successful in most cases when the fractures involved the bones of the jaws and the face. Fractures which involved the cranial cavity or the cranial nerves were difficult to treat and usually held a poor prognosis.
Direct current stimulation of bone production in the pony: observations with a diaphyseal osteotomy model. Electrically induced osteogenesis exhibits a dose response curve and can induce bone formation in the absence of trauma and in nonunions. Electrically induced osteogenesis, using direct electric current (DC) in a third metacarpal diaphyseal osteotomy model, in conjunction with internal fixation and postoperative loading, was investigated. Twelve young adult ponies of mixed sex were divided into 2 treatment groups (A and B) of 3 stimulated and 3 controls each and evaluated, using a specifically designed procedure. Stimulated ponies in both groups were given 20 microA of DC via an implanted bone...
Direct current stimulation of bone production in the horse: preliminary study with a “gap healing” model. The effect of a 20-microA direct-current implantable bone growth stimulator (BGS) on bone production with a "gap healing" model in the horse was evaluated. The right and left 4th metatarsal bones (Mt-4) were used in 7 adult horses to create the "gap healing" model. A 4-mm section of the Mt-4 bone was resected bilaterally in each horse. The BGS was surgically placed into the 7 left Mt-4 defects. The 7 right Mt-4 defects served as controls. Six horses survived the 16-week experimental period. Signs of pain, decreased range of limb motion, or lameness was not observed in any animal during the 16 ...
Capacitively coupled electrical stimulation of bone healing in the horse: in vivo study with a Salter type IV osteotomy model with stainless steel surface electrodes. The use of capacitively coupled low-voltage signals for stimulation of osteogenesis has been reported in a variety of animal models. Electrically induced osteogenesis was investigated with a capacitively coupled electric field on a radius (distal-lateral orientation) osteotomy model, in conjunction with internal fixation and postoperative loading. Twelve adult horses of either sex were allotted to 2 groups of 6; 1 group was given electrical stimulation and the other served as controls. A low-voltage high-frequency capacitively coupled electrical signal was locally and continuously applied to t...
Fatigue characteristics and biocompatability of a totally implantable bone growth stimulator in ponies. Materials fatigue and gross biocompatability of an implantable bone growth stimulator (BGS) were assessed in a 6-month trial using 6 ponies. The forelegs of each pony were implanted with a BGS; the right leg implant had the cathode and cathode lead preconnected by the manufacturer, and the left leg implant was connected at surgery. Evaluation was by radiographic and clinical examination at the beginning and end of the experimental period. Six of the 12 cathode leads (50%) and 7 of the 12 cathodes (58%) were broken at 6 months. All of the implanted preconnected cathode and insulated cathode lea...
Spavin: a proposed term for a non-fracture associated canine hock lesion. In accordance with macroscopic and microscopic features of the tarsal joint degeneration in the greyhound dog, the possibility of establishing a direct relation between this process and spavin or bone spavin is proposed. To date this has been considered limited to equine and occasionally bovine stock. This investigation has been carried out on three different levels: macroscopic, radiological and histological and has been completed with the corresponding graphic documentation.
Distal splint bone fractures in the horse: an experimental and clinical study. An experimental and clinical study to investigate the aetiology of distal splint bone fractures is described. In vitro, extension of the fetlock did not appear to alter the position of the distal ends of the splint bones, although tension in the interosseous tendons increased. Flexion of the fetlock resulted in slight outward displacement of the distal ends of the splint bones. It is suggested that concurrent desmitis of the suspensory ligament can cause movement of the ends of the splint bones thus predisposing to a fatigue fracture. In a clinical study of 87 horses, 114 splint bone fractures...
