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Veterinary surgery : VS2023; doi: 10.1111/vsu.13987

Impact of periarticular osteophytes of the distal tarsus diagnosed in nonlame yearling Standardbred horses on racing performance.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to identify the radiographic prevalence of periarticular osteophytes of the distal tarsus in nonlame yearling Standardbred horses, and to evaluate its potential impact on race performance. Methods: Cross-sectional cohort study. Methods: Client-owned yearling Standardbred horses (n = 416). Methods: Bilateral tarsal radiographs were available from all horses for review. Osteophytes were measured on radiographs using clinical visualization software and categorized by size. Racing records were obtained from the United States Trotting Association. Regression analysis was used to determine associations between presence or size of periarticular osteophytes and performance parameters with sex and gait covariates. Results: Of 416 Standardbred yearlings without clinical lameness, 113 (27.1%) had distal tarsal periarticular osteophytes. Regression analyses revealed few associations between the presence of periarticular osteophytes and performance parameters. Affected horses had fewer starts at 4 years of age (incident rate ratio [IRR] 0.92, p = .01) and fewer lifetime starts (IRR 0.95, p = .003), but the effect size was small. Within the affected group, osteophyte size was only associated with number of starts at 3 (IRR 0.67, p < .0001). Sex and gait affected many performance parameters. Conclusions: The prevalence of distal tarsal periarticular osteophytes was similar to that in other breeds. Periarticular osteophytes of the distal tarsus appeared to be a largely incidental finding in nonlame yearling Standardbreds intended for harness racing. Conclusions: Distal tarsal periarticular osteophytes in young, nonlame Standardbred horses should affect racing potential only minimally. This is in contrast to reports from other disciplines.
© 2023 The Authors. Veterinary Surgery published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2023-07-03 PubMed ID: 37395547DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13987Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This study researched the prevalence of periarticular osteophytes in the distal tarsus (rough growth on the joint of the bone) of nonlame yearling Standardbred horses and how it impacts their racing performance. Despite the fact that 27.1% of nonlame horses had these osteophytes, there was little to no significant impact on their racing potential.

Methodology

  • The researchers conducted a cross-sectional cohort study using 416 Standardbred yearling horses.
  • Using tarsal radiographs (X-ray images of the ankle joint) from all 416 horses, the osteophytes were identified and measured with clinical visualization software.
  • These measurements were then categorized by size.
  • For a more reliable set of performance data, racing records were obtained from the United States Trotting Association.
  • A regression analysis was conducted to ascertain any correlation between the presence or size of the osteophytes and various performance parameters, taking into account factors like sex and gait.

Results

  • Out of the 416 horses, 113 (27.1%) were found to have distal tarsal osteophytes.
  • There were only a few connections made between the presence of osteophytes and performance parameters.
  • The only impact linked to the horses with osteophytes was that they had fewer starts at 4 years old (with an incident rate ratio [IRR] of 0.92) and fewer lifetime starts (IRR 0.95). However, this effect was small.
  • Within the group of horses with osteophytes, the only noted relation between osteophyte size and performance was the number of starts at three years old (with an IRR of 0.67).
  • Sex and gait of the horses had an impact on many observed performance parameters.

Conclusion

  • The occurrence of distal tarsal osteophytes in these horses was found to be similar to those in other horse breeds.
  • The presence of osteophytes seemed to be an incidental finding in nonlame yearling Standardbred horses that were intended for harness racing.
  • Contrary to previous reports from other disciplines, the presence of distal tarsal osteophytes in nonlame Standardbred horses had a minor impact on racing potential.

Cite This Article

APA
McCoy AM, Scolman KN. (2023). Impact of periarticular osteophytes of the distal tarsus diagnosed in nonlame yearling Standardbred horses on racing performance. Vet Surg. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13987

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

McCoy, Annette M
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA.
Scolman, Kara N
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA.

Grant Funding

  • T35 OD011145 / ODCDC CDC HHS

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This article includes 20 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Marković L, Vićić I, Lazarević Macanović M, Francuski Andrić J, Kovačević Filipović M, Radaković M. Degenerative Changes in MCP/MTP Joints of Working Horses Without Lameness: Integrating CT-Based Assessment and Synovial Fluid Biomarkers. Animals (Basel) 2025 Nov 24;15(23).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15233392pubmed: 41375451google scholar: lookup
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