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New Zealand veterinary journal2005; 52(5); 280-284; doi: 10.1080/00480169.2004.36440

Musculoskeletal responses of 2-year-old Thoroughbred horses to early training. 3. In vivo ultrasonographic assessment of the cross-sectional area and echogenicity of the superficial digital flexor tendon.

Abstract: To determine if the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) of young Thoroughbred horses changed in size and echogenicity in association with early race training. Methods: Cross-sectional area (CSA) and echogenicity were determined ultrasonographically at five levels of the SDFT of the forelimbs of 2-year-old fillies (n=14), corresponding to 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 cm distal to the accessory carpal bone (DACB). Measurements were made before and after a 13-week period in which a trained group of seven horses was compared with another group of seven untrained horses. Results: Level below the accessory carpal bone had a significant effect on CSA and Level 8 was smaller than all other levels except Level 12, while Level 12 was smaller than Levels 4 and 20 but not different from Levels 8 and 16. There was a significant interaction between level and time due to effects observed at Level 8. The CSA at Level 8 measured pre-training was different from that of Levels 4 and 20 in both pre- and post-training groups (p<0.05), but when measured post-training was not different from any other measurement. There was also a significant interaction between treatment group and time. There was no difference between CSA for the untrained and trained groups at the pre-training observation (p=0.9), but post-training the CSA (pooled over all levels) in trained horses was significantly larger than that of the untrained horses both post-training (p=0.019) and pre-training (p=0.034), and was not different from the pre-training CSA recorded in the trained group (p=0.29). Treatment group had no effect on echogenicity (p=0.43), while echogenicity was less at the end of the trial in both trained and untrained horses (p<0.001). Conclusions: Early training for racing was associated with an increase in mean CSA of the SDFT. Other factors such as age and maturity may play a role in limiting this increase.
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Publication Date: 2005-03-16 PubMed ID: 15768124DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2004.36440Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This research studied the effects of early race training on the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) of two-year-old Thoroughbred horses. Results suggested that early training increased the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the SDFT, but not its echogenicity.

Research Aim & Methods

  • The aim of this study was to determine if early training for horse racing resulted in changes in the SDFT’s size (measured in CSA) and echogenicity (the ability to produce an ultrasonic echo).
  • Fourteen Thoroughbred fillies were the subjects of this research. Measurements of the CSA and echogenicity of their SDFTs were taken ultrasonographically at five different levels.
  • The horses were divided into two groups – one group was trained and the other was not trained for a period of 13 weeks. The characteristics of their SDFTs were examined before and after the training period.

Research Findings

  • The level below the accessory carpal bone showed a significant impact on the CSA of the SDFT. Level 8 indicated a smaller CSA compared to other levels, whereas Level 12 was found to be smaller than Level 4 and 20, but similar to Levels 8 and 16.
  • The research showed an effect of the training period on the CSA at Level 8. These measurements were distinct from those at Levels 4 and 20 in both the pre-training and post-training groups. However, these differences were non-existent when measured post-training.
  • Other findings displayed an interplay between training and time. Before training, there was no significant difference in the CSA between the trained and untrained group. However, after the training, the CSA in trained horses was found to be larger than in the untrained horses, regardless of the measurement time (before or after training).
  • The training regimen did not influence the echogenicity of the SDFT, but it was found to decrease in both the trained and untrained horses by the end of the experiment.

Research Conclusions

  • The study concluded that early race training was related to an increase in the mean CSA of the horse’s SDFT. Despite this increase, the echogenicity remained unaffected.
  • Further research is recommended to explore other factors such as age and maturity that might limit this increase in CSA of the SDFT.

Cite This Article

APA
Perkins NR, Rogers CW, Firth EC, Anderson BH. (2005). Musculoskeletal responses of 2-year-old Thoroughbred horses to early training. 3. In vivo ultrasonographic assessment of the cross-sectional area and echogenicity of the superficial digital flexor tendon. N Z Vet J, 52(5), 280-284. https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2004.36440

Publication

New Zealand veterinary journal
ISSN: 0048-0169
NlmUniqueID: 0021406
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 52
Issue: 5
Pages: 280-284

Researcher Affiliations

Perkins, N R
  • Epicentre, Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Rogers, C W
    Firth, E C
      Anderson, B H

        Citations

        This article has been cited 5 times.
        1. Crawford KL, Ahern BJ. Investigations into Thoroughbred racehorse welfare in Queensland Australia focused on musculoskeletal injuries and retirement. Anim Front 2022 Jun;12(3):59-62.
          doi: 10.1093/af/vfac018pubmed: 35711502google scholar: lookup
        2. Crawford KL, Finnane A, Greer RM, Barnes TS, Phillips CJC, Woldeyohannes SM, Bishop EL, Perkins NR, Ahern BJ. Survival Analysis of Training Methodologies and Other Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Injury in 2-Year-Old Thoroughbred Racehorses in Queensland, Australia. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:698298.
          doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.698298pubmed: 34796223google scholar: lookup
        3. Crawford KL, Finnane A, Greer RM, Phillips CJC, Bishop EL, Woldeyohannes SM, Perkins NR, Ahern BJ. A Prospective Study of Training Methods for Two-Year-Old Thoroughbred Racehorses in Queensland, Australia, and Analysis of the Differences in Training Methods between Trainers of Varying Stable Sizes. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 25;11(4).
          doi: 10.3390/ani11040928pubmed: 33805873google scholar: lookup
        4. Crawford KL, Finnane A, Phillips CJC, Greer RM, Woldeyohannes SM, Perkins NR, Kidd LJ, Ahern BJ. The Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Injuries in Thoroughbred Racehorses in Queensland, Australia: How These Vary for Two-Year-Old and Older Horses and with Type of Injury. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jan 21;11(2).
          doi: 10.3390/ani11020270pubmed: 33494508google scholar: lookup
        5. Firth EC. The response of bone, articular cartilage and tendon to exercise in the horse. J Anat 2006 Apr;208(4):513-26.
          doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7580.2006.00547.xpubmed: 16637875google scholar: lookup
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