Influence of Exercise, Age, Body weight, and Growth on the Development of Tarsal Osteoarthritis in Young Mangalarga Marchador Horses.

The study investigates the impact of early physical activity, age, body weight, and growth on the tarsal (ankle) joint health in young Mangalarga Marchador horses. It found that moderate exercise during the early development stage does not raise the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis in these horses.

Study Methodology

• The study examined 40 young Mangalarga Marchador horses on the pasture with free-choice exercise. Of these, 20 completed additional controlled exercise three days per week from an average age of 30 ± 20 days until they reached 36 months. The controlled exercise involved an increasing number of 15-minute gallop sprints on a concrete floor covered with a thick sand layer.
• Body weight, withers height (a measure of a horse’s height), and neck circumference were all measured. Additionally, body condition scores, cresty neck scores, and an obesity index were assessed.
• Each tarsus (ankle joint) and foal was evaluated through five standard radiographic projections. These assessments happened at two time points: 18 months (Time Point 1) and 36 months (Time Point 2).

Key Findings

• Radiographic changes suggestive of tarsal osteoarthritis appeared in two male foals from the trained group at time point 2. Therefore, 10% of the 20 trained foals showed symptoms of osteoarthritis. Conversely, none of the foals from the untrained group developed osteoarthritis.
• The training program did not result in significant alterations of the evaluated morphometric parameters, indicating that the foals’ physical features did not significantly change due to the training.
• Between Time Point 1 and 2, notable differences were observed for both trained and untrained animals. At time point 2, the animals exhibited greater weights and withers heights than at Time Point 1, reflecting normal growth patterns.

Conclusion

• The research concludes that specific levels of physical activity during the initial development stage do not raise the occurrence of osteoarthritic injury in Mangalarga Marchador foals. This may suggest a protective or neutral role of moderate exercise on joint health in equines, contrary to common concern that early intense exercise could predispose young horses to joint diseases like osteoarthritis.