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Home / Equine Research Bank / Acta Vet Scand / Ossification of ungular cartilages in front feet of cold-blo...
Acta veterinaria Scandinavica2014; 56(1); 73; doi: 10.1186/s13028-014-0073-z

Ossification of ungular cartilages in front feet of cold-blooded trotters–a clinical radiographic evaluation of development over time.

Abstract: It has not yet been shown that ossification of ungular cartilages (OUC) is a pathological condition. Beside heredity, factors such as sex, age, repeated concussion, local trauma, hoof and body size have been suggested as contributing factors for OUC development. By comparing radiographs of front hooves from cold-blooded trotters with different age we wanted to evaluate when development of OUC in cold-blooded trotters occurs and if and when it stabilizes in relation to age and workload. Diagnosis and grading of OUC were based on radiological field examinations of 649 Swedish and Norwegian cold-blooded trotters' front hooves. A hundred and forty-seven of the horses were re-examined 3-13 years (mean age 9, median 8 years) after the first occasion. All radiographs were evaluated blind, using two different grading systems for OUC. Work load, in form of number of races completed, and body size score were collected from official data. Four statistical ordinal regression models were used, compared and evaluated. Results: We identified a breakpoint at 2.8 ± 0.38 years of age when ossification ends and proposed a simpler grading system with more consistent results. There was no significant correlation between body size and grade of OUC. Comparison of different statistical methods for evaluation of ordinal data revealed a piecewise linear regression model as most suitable. Conclusions: Individuals with OUC developed this condition during the stage of life when their hooves develop in size. Results from this study can assist equine practitioners when examining and for understanding this condition in their clinical work and is also beneficial for the Scandinavian equine industry when devising breeding programs.
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Publication Date: 2014-10-30 PubMed ID: 25359553PubMed Central: PMC4219133DOI: 10.1186/s13028-014-0073-zGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research investigates the onset and development of ossification of ungular cartilages (OUC) in cold-blooded trotters, concluding that the ossification ends around 2.8 years of age and is not significantly related to body size. The outcomes will be beneficial for veterinary practitioners and the Scandinavian equine industry when devising breeding programs.

Introduction and Methodology

  • The study aimed to determine the onset and development of OUC in cold-blooded trotters by comparing radiographs of front hooves from horses of different ages. While factors such as sex, age, repeated concussion, local trauma, hoof and body size have been suggested to contribute to OUC development, the research was designed to determine when OUC in cold-blooded trotters occurs and if and when it stabilizes in relation to age and workload.
  • The researchers evaluated 649 radiological field exams of front hooves from Swedish and Norwegian cold-blooded trotters. Subsequently, a subset of 147 horses were re-examined 3-13 years later.
  • To account for potential bias, the evaluation of the radiographs was blinded, and two different grading systems for OUC were employed. Furthermore, data on workload, measured as the number of completed races, and body size score were collected from official records.

Results and Findings

  • The results of the research showed that OUC ends at around 2.8 years of age, denoted as a ‘breakpoint’. This means horses develop OUC while their hooves are still growing in size.
  • The study also found that body size was not significantly correlated with the grade of OUC, refuting previous speculation of a possible association.
  • Comparative analysis of different statistical methods for evaluating ordinal data showed that the piecewise linear regression model was the most suitable.
  • To simplify the evaluation process, a more straightforward grading system for OUC was proposed, which delivered consistent results.

Conclusion and Implications

  • The research provides valuable insights into the development of OUC in cold-blooded trotters, particularly pinpointing the age when ossification ends.
  • These findings can support equine practitioners in understanding, diagnosing and managing this condition more effectively.
  • In addition, this knowledge can prove useful to the Scandinavian equine industry when planning breeding programs, owing to the clear implications of OUC development on the horse’s health and performance.

Cite This Article

APA
Hedenström UO, Olsson U, Holm AW, Wattle OS. (2014). Ossification of ungular cartilages in front feet of cold-blooded trotters–a clinical radiographic evaluation of development over time. Acta Vet Scand, 56(1), 73. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-014-0073-z

Publication

Acta veterinaria Scandinavica
ISSN: 1751-0147
NlmUniqueID: 0370400
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 56
Issue: 1
Pages: 73

Researcher Affiliations

Hedenström, Ulf O
    Olsson, Ulf
      Holm, Arne W
        Wattle, Ove S

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Cartilage / diagnostic imaging
          • Cartilage / physiopathology
          • Cartilage Diseases / diagnostic imaging
          • Cartilage Diseases / physiopathology
          • Cartilage Diseases / veterinary
          • Hoof and Claw / diagnostic imaging
          • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
          • Horse Diseases / physiopathology
          • Horses
          • Ossification, Heterotopic / veterinary
          • Radiography
          • Time Factors

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          Citations

          This article has been cited 2 times.
          1. Janeczek M, Makowiecki D, Rozwadowska A, Chudziak W, Pasicka E. Pathological Changes in Early Medieval Horses from Different Archaeological Sites in Poland. Animals (Basel) 2024 Feb 1;14(3).
            doi: 10.3390/ani14030490pubmed: 38338132google scholar: lookup
          2. Hedenström UO, Wattle OS. Significance of ossificated ungular cartilages regarding the performance of cold-blooded trotters. Acta Vet Scand 2014 Oct 25;56(1):74.
            doi: 10.1186/s13028-014-0074-ypubmed: 25344341google scholar: lookup
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