Abstract: Osteochondral fragments within equine joints are commonly encountered and may predispose to lameness and limitation to sport purposes. Factors leading to this condition include genetic, nutritional and environmental conditions. However, few studies have evaluated the impact of conformation traits and their correlation with osteochondrosis. This study, based on the radiographic screenings of young horses born in Wallonia (266 individuals, 532 forelimbs), evaluated the correlation between foot, fetlock conformations of the front limb, height at the withers and presence of osteochondral fragments. Moreover, for all traits significantly associated with the presence of osteochondral fragments, a Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curve, area under the curve and optimal cut-off value were calculated to predict the occurrence of fragments. Mean dorsal hoof wall angle was 52.36°, dorsal and palmar angle of the third phalanx were respectively 49.83° and 2.99°, and dorsal metacarpophalangeal angle 147.99°. Moreover, the prevalence of upright feet, defined as having an inclined profile of >2° steeper in relation to its contralateral counterpart, was 24%. Increased palmar angle of the distal phalanx was significantly correlated (P < 0.05) with presence of fragments located at the dorso-proximal margin of the proximal phalanx. The associated area under the curve was 0.623 (95% CI: 0528-0.717, P < 0.05) and the optimal cut-off value to predict fragment occurrence was 2.95° (sensitivity 77.3%; specificity 52.9%). Furthermore, the third metacarpal bone diameter of the left forelimb and height at the withers were significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with the presence of osteochondral fragments in general and within tarsocrural and metatarsophalangeal joints specifically. The area under the curve was 0.585 (95% CI: 0.513-0.656, P < 0.05) with an optimal cut-off value of 152.5 cm (sensitivity 85.1%; specificity 31.2%) for height at the withers to predict presence of osteochondral fragment; to predict the occurrence of osteochondral fragment in any joint on the basis of the third metacarpal bone diameter, the area under the curve was 0.595 (95% CI: 0.524-0.667, P <0.05) and the optimal cut-off value 34.9 mm (sensitivity 52.5%; specificity 64.9%). This study provides information about phenotypic traits associated with osteochondral fragments in horses. Although the diagnostic accuracy of these traits to detect osteochondral fragment was limited, the identification of more phenotypic characteristics could, in the future, make it possible to generate models for accurately identifying individuals at high risk of osteochondral fragments on the basis of their phenotype.
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This research explores the correlation between certain physical traits and the presence of osteochondral fragments in young Walloon horses. By assessing the forelimb conformation of 266 horses through radiographic screenings, the study found various traits linked to the occurrence of these fragments.
Characteristics and Conformations in Horses
The study involved a large sample of young horses from Wallonia (a region in Belgium).
The research examined two key physical aspects of these horses: distal sagittal confirmation of their forelimbs and their height at the withers.
Various factors including the foot, fetlock conformations of the front limb, and said height were taken into account to determine any correlation to the presence of osteochondral fragments.
Key Findings Related to Physical Traits
Increased palmar angle of the distal phalanx was found to be significantly correlated with the presence of osteochondral fragments.
This angle had an optimal cut-off value of 2.95°, which could predict the presence of the fragments with a sensitivity of 77.3% and a specificity of 52.9%.
The diameter of the third metacarpal bone in the left forelimb and the horse’s height at the withers were also shown to be linked to the presence of these fragments.
These two traits showed their own optimal cut-off values for the prediction of fragment presence: for the height at the withers, it was 152.5 cm (sensitivity 85.1%; specificity 31.2%), and for the third metacarpal bone diameter, it was 34.9 mm (sensitivity 52.5%; specificity 64.9%).
Implications and Potential of this Research
While the traits outlined in the study didn’t have particularly high diagnostic accuracy for detecting osteochondral fragments, the researchers emphasized the importance of continuing to identify more phenotypic characteristics.
Through the accumulation of such data, it could eventually be possible to develop accurate models for identifying horses at high risk for osteochondral fragments based on their physical characteristics.
In summary, the research suggests that specific physical traits in Wallonian horses could be linked to the presence of osteochondral fragments, potentially providing some predictive value. Further studies may enhance predictive accuracy, aiding in the early identification of osteochondrosis in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Van Cauter R, Caudron I, Lejeune JP, Rousset A, Serteyn D.
(2024).
Distal sagittal forelimb conformation in young Walloon horses: Radiographic assessment and its relationship with osteochondral fragments.
PLoS One, 19(10), e0311965.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0311965
Centre Européen du Cheval, Mont-le-Soie, Yvré-l'Évêque, Vielsalm.
Département des Sciences Cliniques des Équidés, Chirurgie et Orthopédie, FARAH, Université de Liège, Liège, Belgium.
Caudron, Isabelle
Centre Européen du Cheval, Mont-le-Soie, Yvré-l'Évêque, Vielsalm.
Département des Sciences Cliniques des Équidés, Chirurgie et Orthopédie, FARAH, Université de Liège, Liège, Belgium.
Lejeune, Jean-Philippe
Centre Européen du Cheval, Mont-le-Soie, Yvré-l'Évêque, Vielsalm.
Département des Sciences Cliniques des Équidés, Chirurgie et Orthopédie, FARAH, Université de Liège, Liège, Belgium.
Rousset, Alycia
Centre Européen du Cheval, Mont-le-Soie, Yvré-l'Évêque, Vielsalm.
Serteyn, Didier
Centre Européen du Cheval, Mont-le-Soie, Yvré-l'Évêque, Vielsalm.
Département des Sciences Cliniques des Équidés, Chirurgie et Orthopédie, FARAH, Université de Liège, Liège, Belgium.
MeSH Terms
Animals
Horses
Forelimb / diagnostic imaging
Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
Horse Diseases / pathology
Osteochondrosis / veterinary
Osteochondrosis / diagnostic imaging
Radiography
Female
Male
ROC Curve
Hoof and Claw / diagnostic imaging
Hoof and Claw / anatomy & histology
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
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