[Association of skin problems with coat colour and white markings in three-year-old horses of the Franches-Montagnes breed].
Abstract: In the last 30 years the amount of white markings in the population of Franches-Montagnes horses (FM) has more than doubled which has led to some controversy, particularly in respect to the health of the horses. The objective of this study was to investigate if the coat colour and white markings have an impact on selected skin diseases and hoof horn abnormalities. To this purpose 974 three-year-old FM were subjected to a clinical examination during the field and station tests organized by the FM breeding association. In 16.9% of the horses, one or several equine sarcoids were detected, 15.2% of the horses showed clinical signs of pastern dermatitis, 1.1% of insect bite hypersensitivity and 18.0% of dermatitis of other aetiology. Abnormalities of the hoof horn were found in 20.1% of the horses. The prevalence of pastern dermatitis was 2.6 times higher in legs with white markings than in legs with pigmented skin (p <0.0001). The probability ofsuffering from sunburn and hoof horn of lesser quality was increased in animals with an elevated white marking index (WAI; p = 0.022 and p = 0.038), on the other hand, horses with sarcoids had a significantly lower WAI than sound horses (p = 0.038). Our study shows that FM horses with more pronounced white markings have an increased risk to suffer from pastern dermatitis, sunburns and hoof horn abnormalities. The coat colour was not associated with skin diseases.
Publication Date: 2016-01-13 PubMed ID: 26753358DOI: 10.17236/sat00026Google Scholar: Lookup
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- English Abstract
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research examines a potential correlation between white markings on Franches-Montagnes horses and various skin diseases and hoof abnormalities. The study found that horses with more pronounced white markings had a higher risk of certain skin and hoof conditions.
Research Aim and Methodology
- The study aimed to examine the impact of coat colour and white markings on selected skin diseases and hoof horn abnormalities in the Franches-Montagnes horses. The motivation for this study arises from the growing prevalence of white markings among this breed, which has created concerns about the associated health risks.
- For the purpose of the study, the researchers conducted a clinical examination of 974 Franches-Montagnes horses during the field and station tests organized by the Franches-Montagnes breeding association.
Research Findings
- An examination revealed that 16.9% of the horses had one or several equine sarcoids, 15.2% showed signs of pastern dermatitis, 1.1% had insect bite hypersensitivity, and 18.0% had dermatitis of a different aetiology. Furthermore, 20.1% of the horses had hoof horn abnormalities.
- The study found a higher prevalence of pastern dermatitis in legs with white markings than in those with pigmented skin.
- It was also found that horses with a higher white marking index (WAI) had an increased chance of suffering from sunburn and lesser quality hoof horn.
- On the contrary, horses with sarcoids were found to have a significantly lower WAI than healthy horses.
Research Conclusion
- The research concluded that Franches-Montagnes horses with more pronounced white markings are at an increased risk of suffering from pastern dermatitis, sunburns, and hoof horn abnormalities. This suggests an association between the extent of white markings and certain health conditions in these horses.
- The study, however, found no correlation between these health risks and the coat colour of the horses, indicating that these conditions are specifically associated with white markings and not the overall coloration of the horse.
Cite This Article
APA
Federici M, Gerber V, Doherr MG, Klopfenstein S, Burger D.
(2016).
[Association of skin problems with coat colour and white markings in three-year-old horses of the Franches-Montagnes breed].
Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd, 157(7), 391-398.
https://doi.org/10.17236/sat00026 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Breeding
- Female
- Hair Color
- Hoof and Claw / abnormalities
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses
- Male
- Prevalence
- Skin Diseases / epidemiology
- Skin Diseases / etiology
- Skin Diseases / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Styková E, Valocký I, Kačírová J, Fecskeová LK. Microbiological effect of topically applied Weissella cibaria on equine pastern dermatitis. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1493756.
- Brys M, Claerebout E, Chiers K. Chronic Progressive Lymphedema in Belgian Draft Horses: Understanding and Managing a Challenging Disease. Vet Sci 2023 May 12;10(5).
- Kaiser-Thom S, Hilty M, Ramseyer A, Epper P, Gerber V. The relationship between equine pastern dermatitis, meteorological factors, and the skin microbiota. Vet Dermatol 2022 Apr;33(2):165-e48.
- Kaiser-Thom S, Hilty M, Axiak S, Gerber V. The skin microbiota in equine pastern dermatitis: a case-control study of horses in Switzerland. Vet Dermatol 2021 Dec;32(6):646-e172.
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