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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Med Sci / A retrospective study of radiographic abnormalities in the r...
The Journal of veterinary medical science2017; 79(11); 1807-1814; doi: 10.1292/jvms.16-0425

A retrospective study of radiographic abnormalities in the repositories for Thoroughbreds at yearling sales in Japan.

Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate whether radiographic abnormalities at yearling sales were associated with the failure to start racing at 2-3 years of age. Radiographic abnormalities in the carpal (n=852), tarsal (n=976), metacarpophalangeal (n=1,055), and metatarsophalangeal joints (n=1,031) from 1,082 horses, recorded at yearling sale, were reviewed. Eighty-two horses (7.6%) failed to start racing. Radiographic abnormalities such as wedged or collapsed tarsal bones, irregular lucency of a sagittal ridge at the distal aspect of the distal third metatarsal bone, and proximal dorsal fragmentation of the first phalanx in metatarsophalangeal joints were associated with failure to start racing in these horses. In the follow-up survey of 12 horses with one or more these radiographic abnormalities, the horses failed to start racing due to reasons unrelated to these radiographic abnormalities such as pelvic fractures (2 horses), fracture of a distal phalanx (1 horse), cervical stenotic myelopathy and proximal sesamoid fracture (1 horse), superficial digital flexor tendonitis (2 horses), laryngeal hemiplegia (1 horse), economic problems (2 horses) and unknown causes (3 horses). Although radiographic abnormalities at yearling sales can be associated with failure to start racing at 2-3 years of age, these radiographically detected abnormalities might not necessarily cause that failure.
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Publication Date: 2017-10-06 PubMed ID: 28993565PubMed Central: PMC5709557DOI: 10.1292/jvms.16-0425Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research explores the link between radiographic abnormalities in horses, found at yearling sales, and the potential failure of these same horses to compete in races by the age of 2-3 years.

Study Goal and Method

  • The primary objective of this retrospective study was to examine whether there is a correlation between the detection of radiographic abnormalities during the yearling sales and the inability of these horses to compete in races when they are 2 to 3 years old. The research focused specifically on abnormalities in the carpal, tarsal, metacarpophalangeal, and metatarsophalangeal joints. The sample for this analysis consisted of radiographic reviews of abnormalities from 1,082 horses.

Main Findings

  • The research showed that 82 out of 1082 horses, translating to 7.6%, failed to compete in horse races. The failure was linked to radiographic abnormalities such as collapsed or wedged tarsal bones, irregular lucency of a sagittal ridge at the distal aspect of the distal third metatarsal bone, and proximal dorsal fragmentation of the first phalanx in metatarsophalangeal joints.

Follow-up Investigation

  • A more detailed follow-up survey was carried out with 12 horses which had one or more of these radiographic abnormalities. The outcomes of this survey suggested that many horses were unable to compete not necessarily because of the diagnosed radiographic abnormalities. Other causes of non-participation included pelvic fractures, distal phalanx fractures, cervical stenotic myelopathy and proximal sesamoid fracture, superficial digital flexor tendonitis, laryngeal hemiplegia, economic problems, and other unknown causes.

Conclusion

  • The conclusion drawn from this research was that although there could be an association between the detection of radiographic abnormalities at yearling sales and the failure of horses to start racing at the ages of 2 to 3 years, these radiographically detected abnormalities might not necessarily be the primary cause of such failure.

Cite This Article

APA
Miyakoshi D, Senba H, Shikichi M, Maeda M, Shibata R, Misumi K. (2017). A retrospective study of radiographic abnormalities in the repositories for Thoroughbreds at yearling sales in Japan. J Vet Med Sci, 79(11), 1807-1814. https://doi.org/10.1292/jvms.16-0425

Publication

The Journal of veterinary medical science
ISSN: 1347-7439
NlmUniqueID: 9105360
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 79
Issue: 11
Pages: 1807-1814

Researcher Affiliations

Miyakoshi, Daisuke
  • Hidaka Horse Breeders Association, 175-2 Shizunai Kamimori Shinhidaka-cho, Hokkaido 056-0002, Japan.
Senba, Hiroyuki
  • The Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association, 517 Shizunai Tahara Shinhidaka-cho, Hokkaido 056-0144, Japan.
Shikichi, Mitsumori
  • Hidaka Horse Breeders Association, 175-2 Shizunai Kamimori Shinhidaka-cho, Hokkaido 056-0002, Japan.
Maeda, Masaya
  • Hidaka Horse Breeders Association, 175-2 Shizunai Kamimori Shinhidaka-cho, Hokkaido 056-0002, Japan.
Shibata, Ryo
  • Hidaka Horse Breeders Association, 175-2 Shizunai Kamimori Shinhidaka-cho, Hokkaido 056-0002, Japan.
Misumi, Kazuhiro
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Carpal Bones / abnormalities
  • Carpal Bones / diagnostic imaging
  • Horses / abnormalities
  • Japan
  • Metacarpophalangeal Joint / abnormalities
  • Metacarpophalangeal Joint / diagnostic imaging
  • Metatarsophalangeal Joint / abnormalities
  • Metatarsophalangeal Joint / diagnostic imaging
  • Radiography / veterinary
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tarsal Bones / abnormalities
  • Tarsal Bones / diagnostic imaging

References

This article includes 14 references
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