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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / A survey of white line disease in Japanese racehorses.
Equine veterinary journal1999; 31(6); 515-518; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb03861.x

A survey of white line disease in Japanese racehorses.

Abstract: A survey was carried out into white line disease in 1781 Thoroughbred racehorses kept in stables at the Japan Racing Association (JRA) Miho Training Center (MTC) September-October 1996. The survey was conducted while horses were being shod by farriers. The horses that still exhibited damaged white lines after regular trimming were diagnosed as having white line disease. The factors recorded were age, sex, number of diseased horses, number of diseased hooves, number of lesions by region over the bearing border of the hoof and the classified length of such lesions. The percentage of total diseased horses was 11.5% (204 animals), with incidence increasing significantly with age (P< or =0.01). Occurrence was independent of sex (P>0.05) was more frequent in the fore- than in the hindhoof and developed more frequently at the toe than at any other region of the forehoof-bearing border. Most lesions ranged from 20 to 30 mm in length.
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Publication Date: 1999-12-22 PubMed ID: 10596935DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb03861.xGoogle 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 study analyzes the occurrence of white line disease (a hoof condition) in over a thousand Thoroughbred racehorses from the Japan Racing Association’s Miho Training Center during the 1996 season. Various factors like age, sex, number of diseased horses and hooves, lesions’ locations and size were considered to understand disease prevalence and characteristics.

Survey Methodology

  • The research was conducted by examining 1781 racehorses during their regular shoeing process by farriers (professionals who trim and shoe horse’s hooves).
  • The objective was to identify horses still showing signs of damaged white lines on their hooves, indicative of white line disease, despite regular hoof trimming.
  • The diagnosis of the disease was not based on random sampling but on visible hoof damage after regular trimming.

Data Gathered

  • Various factors were noted for each horse, including age, sex, and number of diseased hooves.
  • The severity of the disease was determined by the number of lesions found around the bearing borders of the hoof, as well as their length.

Observations and Findings

  • A total of 11.5% of all horses surveyed (204 animals) were found to have white line disease.
  • Incidence of the disease showed a significant increase with the horse’s age (P less than or equal to 0.01).
  • No significant difference was found in disease incidence based on the sex of the horses.
  • White line disease was observed more commonly in the front hooves than in the hind hooves of the affected animals.
  • The disease lesions developed more frequently around the toe area compared to other regions of the hoof-bearing border.
  • Most of the damage was measured to be 20 to 30 mm in length.

Significance of the Study

  • The findings of this survey shed light on the prevalence and disease characteristics of white line disease in Thoroughbred racehorses in Japan, which could be used to improve equine health and welfare strategies.
  • The strong correlation between age and white line disease could demonstrate a need for more focused hoof care in older horses.
  • The location and frequency of lesions add to the understanding of disease behavior, potentially influencing prevention and treatment strategies.

Cite This Article

APA
Kuwano A, Tanaka K, Kawabata M, Ooi Y, Takahashi T, Yoshihara T, Reilly JD. (1999). A survey of white line disease in Japanese racehorses. Equine Vet J, 31(6), 515-518. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb03861.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 31
Issue: 6
Pages: 515-518

Researcher Affiliations

Kuwano, A
  • Clinical Science and Pathobiology Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi-ken.
Tanaka, K
    Kawabata, M
      Ooi, Y
        Takahashi, T
          Yoshihara, T
            Reilly, J D

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Female
              • Foot Diseases / epidemiology
              • Foot Diseases / pathology
              • Foot Diseases / veterinary
              • Hoof and Claw / pathology
              • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
              • Horse Diseases / pathology
              • Horses
              • Japan / epidemiology
              • Male

              Citations

              This article has been cited 3 times.
              1. Padalino B, Sandy JR, Barrasso R, Trotta A, Bozzo G, Cafarchia C. Rare Generalized Form of Fungal Dermatitis in a Horse: Case Report. Animals (Basel) 2020 May 17;10(5).
                doi: 10.3390/ani10050871pubmed: 32429596google scholar: lookup
              2. Oke RA. Unilateral white line disease and laminitis in a quarter horse mare. Can Vet J 2003 Feb;44(2):145-6.
                pubmed: 12650045
              3. Kukhar Y, Bailina G, Smagulova A, Uakhit R, Kiyan V. Characteristics of Chrysosporium spp. Pathogens Causing Skin Mycoses in Horses. J Fungi (Basel) 2025 Apr 9;11(4).
                doi: 10.3390/jof11040297pubmed: 40278119google scholar: lookup
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