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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Longitudinal development of equine conformation from weanlin...
Equine veterinary journal2004; 36(7); 563-570; doi: 10.2746/0425164044864507

Longitudinal development of equine conformation from weanling to age 3 years in the Thoroughbred.

Abstract: There is little information available to define conformational changes with age using an objective but practical method of recording specific body measurements. Objective: To analyse conformation objectively in a population of racing Thoroughbreds and describe the changes from weanling to age 3 years. Methods: Annual photographs were taken over 4 years and conformation measurements made from photographs using specific reference points marked on the horses. Results: Correlation analysis revealed highly significant, moderate to strong relationships between long bone lengths and wither height for all ages. All long bone lengths showed moderate to strong relationships with each other for all ages. The front and rear pastern angles were significantly correlated with the angle of the dorsal surface of the front and rear hooves, respectively, for all. Wither height, croup height and length of neck topline, neck bottomline, scapula, humerus, radius and femur increased significantly from age 0-1 year and age 1-2 years. Hoof lengths (medial and lateral, right and left) grew significantly between the ages of 0 and 1 and 1 and 2 years, but decreased in length between age 2 and 3 years. Horses became more offset in the right limb between weanling and age 3 years, but the offset ratios did not change with age on the left limb. The angle of the scapula (I), shoulder and radiometacarpus significantly increased between all age groups (became more upright). The angle of the dorsal surface of the hooves (both front and hind) decreased significantly from ages 0 to 1 and 1 to 2 years, but showed no significant difference between ages 2 and 3 years. Conclusions: A strong relationship between long bone lengths and wither height for all ages supports the theory that horses are proportional. Longitudinal bone growth in the distal limb increased only 5-7% from weanling to age 3 years and is presumably completed prior to the yearling year. Several growth measures increased from ages 0 to 1 and 1 to 2 years, but did not increase from age 2-3 years; indicating that growth rate either slowed or reached a plateau at this time. Conclusions: This study provides objective information regarding conformation and skeletal growth in the Thoroughbred which can be utilised for selection and recognition of significant conformational abnormalities.
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Publication Date: 2004-12-08 PubMed ID: 15581319DOI: 10.2746/0425164044864507Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article outlines a study on the growth and development of Thoroughbred horses, detailing the changes in their conformation from their first year to the age of 3. This study was carried out with the hope of creating a more objective method to record and understand growth patterns in horses, which can be significant in the field of equine welfare and athletic performance.

Objective and Method

  • The main goal of this study was to establish an objective analysis of Thoroughbred horses’ conformation and track their changes from their weanling stage until they reached three years of age.
  • The researchers used a simple yet effective method: taking annual photographs over a span of 4 years and examining certain body measurements based on specific reference points marked on the horses.

Findings: Relationship Between Long Bone Lengths and Wither Height

  • The study determined that there was a significant correlation between the length of the horses’ long bones and their wither height at all ages, providing evidence to support the theory that horses grow proportionally.
  • The scientists also found that all the long bone lengths were moderately to strongly related to each other at all ages.

Findings: Changes in Height, Length, and Angle

  • Certain measurements such as wither height, croup height, and the length of neck topline, neck bottomline, scapula, humerus, radius and femur were found to increase significantly from age 0-1 year and age 1-2 years.
  • However, hoof lengths grew significantly between the ages of 0 and 1 and 1 and 2 years but decreased in length between age 2 and 3 years.
  • The angle of the shoulder, scapula, and radiometacarpus increased (became more upright), while the angle of the hooves’ dorsal surface decreased significantly from ages 0 to 1 and 1 to 2 years. But, there was no significant difference observed between ages 2 and 3 years.

Findings: Growth Rates and Limb Offset

  • The study found that the horses presented more limb offset in the right limb between weanling and age 3 years, but the offset ratios did not change with age on the left limb.
  • The growth of longitudinal bone in the distal limb increased by only 5-7% from weanling to age 3, suggesting that this growth is likely completed in the yearling year.
  • Several measures of growth increased significantly from ages 0 to 2, but there was no significant increase from age 2-3 years, which could indicate that the growth rate either slowed or reached a plateau at this time.

Conclusion

  • The research offers valuable, factual information on Thoroughbred horses’ conformation and skeletal growth.
  • Such data can be instrumental for purposes like breeding selection and early detection of any significant conformational abnormalities.

Cite This Article

APA
Anderson TM, McIlwraith CW. (2004). Longitudinal development of equine conformation from weanling to age 3 years in the Thoroughbred. Equine Vet J, 36(7), 563-570. https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164044864507

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 36
Issue: 7
Pages: 563-570

Researcher Affiliations

Anderson, T M
  • Colorado State University, Equine Science and Equine Orthopaedic Research Programs, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.
McIlwraith, C W

    MeSH Terms

    • Aging / physiology
    • Animals
    • Bone Development
    • Bone and Bones / anatomy & histology
    • Bone and Bones / physiology
    • Horses / anatomy & histology
    • Horses / growth & development
    • Longitudinal Studies
    • Weaning

    Citations

    This article has been cited 11 times.
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      doi: 10.3390/ani11082205pubmed: 34438663google scholar: lookup
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      doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2019.00155pubmed: 31355191google scholar: lookup
    6. Parkes RSV, Weller R, Pfau T, Witte TH. The Effect of Training on Stride Duration in a Cohort of Two-Year-Old and Three-Year-Old Thoroughbred Racehorses. Animals (Basel) 2019 Jul 22;9(7).
      doi: 10.3390/ani9070466pubmed: 31336595google scholar: lookup
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      doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202931pubmed: 30148872google scholar: lookup
    8. Gorissen BMC, Wolschrijn CF, Serra Bragança FM, Geerts AAJ, Leenders WOJL, Back W, van Weeren PR. The development of locomotor kinetics in the foal and the effect of osteochondrosis. Equine Vet J 2017 Jul;49(4):467-474.
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    9. Modesto RB, Rodgerson DH, Masciarelli AE, Spirito M. Standing placement of transphyseal screw in the distal radius in 8 Thoroughbred yearlings. Can Vet J 2015 Jun;56(6):605-9.
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    11. Kotoyori Y, Endo Y, Murase H, Sato F, Korosue K. Changes in aspects of hoof and distal limb conformation in foals by radiographic evaluation. J Vet Med Sci 2024 Apr 10;86(4):421-427.
      doi: 10.1292/jvms.23-0437pubmed: 38403663google scholar: lookup
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