Caudal cervical vertebral morphological variation is not associated with clinical signs in Warmblood horses.

The researchers investigated the relationship between radiographically visible morphological variations in the caudal cervical spine of Warmblood horses and clinical signs of discomfort or disease. They found that such variations were more frequently visible in horses without clinical signs, suggesting these variations are not indicative of health problems.

Objective and Hypothesis of the Study

• The aim of this study was to establish the frequency of radiographically visible morphological variations in a large group of Warmblood horses presenting with clinical signs and compare this with a group without clinical signs.
• The researchers hypothesized that there would be no difference in the occurrence of morphological variations between horses with clinical signs and those without, suggesting no association between clinical signs and morphological variation.

Methods

• The study was a retrospective case-control investigation.
• Radiographic records of presence or absence of morphologic variations of cervical vertebrae C6 and C7 were examined for case horses (n = 245) and control horses (n = 132).
• The case and control groups were compared through univariable Pearson’s Chi-square and multivariable logistic regression for measurement variables such as age, sex, breed, degenerative joint disease, and morphologic variation at C6 and C7.
• Odds ratios and confidence intervals were calculated. A P-value equal to or less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

• Morphological variation at C6 and C7 was less frequent in horses with clinical signs in univariable testing (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.3-0.8, P = 0.001).
• Variables such as age, sex, breed, and degenerative joint disease were not retained in the final multivariable logistic regression step, but morphologic variation remained significantly less present in horses with clinical signs.

Conclusions

• The study found that morphologic variation in the caudal cervical spine was detected more frequently in horses without clinical signs.
• Therefore, the radiographic presence of such variations does not necessarily indicate the presence of clinical signs of discomfort or disease.
• This could have implications for equine clinical practices, as these variations should not necessarily be treated as indicators of health problems in Warmblood horses.