Association of breeding conditions with prevalence of osteochondrosis in foals.
Abstract: Osteochondrosis (OC) is the most common developmental orthopaedic disease in horses and represents a major problem to the horse industry. The complete mechanism of this multifactorial disease is not yet elucidated, but it is accepted that OC lesions are the result of intrinsic genetic and external factors. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the relationship between breeding management and OC. Breeding conditions were recorded, and a radiological examination was performed in 223 foals. Feeding practice and housing management were analysed in a multivariate model to determine risk factors for OC in three periods: gestation, birth to weaning and weaning to one-year-old. The major breakthrough of this study is the significant relationship between OC development and (1) the maternal nutrition during gestation and (2) the type of housing of the foals during their first year. It appears that mares fed with concentrates during gestation are more likely to produce foals that are subsequently affected by OC compared with other mares (P<0.05). Foals housed exclusively at pasture until one year of age are significantly less affected than foals exclusively housed in box or, alternatively, in box and at pasture (P<0.05). These results underline the role of the energy metabolism and the level of exercise in the aetiologic process of the disease, and help to develop preventive strategies during the crucial period of gestation to one year of age of the foal.
Publication Date: 2012-11-01 PubMed ID: 23118049DOI: 10.1136/vr.101034Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research examines the relationship between breeding conditions and osteochondrosis (OC) in foals. The study found significant links between the development of OC and the mother’s diet during pregnancy, and the type of housing for the foals in their first year.
Research Objectives and Methods
- The main purpose of this research was to understand the correlation between breeding management and Osteochondrosis (OC), a common developmental orthopaedic disease in horses. The mechanism of this disease isn’t fully known yet, but it’s perceived to be a result of genetic and external influences.
- The researchers studied 223 foals, recording their breeding conditions and performing radiological examinations. Aspects such as feeding practice and housing arrangement were thoroughly evaluated.
- The analysis accommodated three significant periods in a foal’s life, namely, gestation, birth to weaning, and weaning to one year old using a multivariate model.
Key Findings
- This study primarily revealed two significant influences on the development of OC in foals. The two factors include maternal nutrition during gestation and type of housing provided to the foals during their initial year.
- It was observed that mares that were fed concentrates during pregnancy had a higher likelihood of producing foals with OC than foals from other mares.
- Furthermore, the researchers found that foals which were kept entirely at pasture until they were one year old were less likely to be affected by OC than foals exclusively housed in boxes or in a mixture of boxes and pasture.
Implications and Conclusion
- The study’s results emphasize the roles of energy metabolism and exercise level in the disease’s etiological process.
- The findings can be used to inform strategies for preventing the disease by taking specific measures during the gestation period and the first year of a foal’s life, such as adjusting the diet of pregnant mares and modifying housing arrangements for foals.
Cite This Article
APA
Vander Heyden L, Lejeune JP, Caudron I, Detilleux J, Sandersen C, Chavatte P, Paris J, Deliège B, Serteyn D.
(2012).
Association of breeding conditions with prevalence of osteochondrosis in foals.
Vet Rec, 172(3), 68.
https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.101034 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Clinical Sciences, Equine Anaesthesia and Surgery, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed
- Animal Husbandry / methods
- Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / physiology
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Breeding
- Female
- Genetic Predisposition to Disease
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / genetics
- Horses
- Male
- Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / physiology
- Osteochondrosis / epidemiology
- Osteochondrosis / genetics
- Osteochondrosis / veterinary
- Prevalence
- Risk Factors
- Weaning
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