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Home / Equine Research Bank / Heliyon / Osteoarticular radiographic findings of the distal forelimbs...
Heliyon2019; 5(9); e02514; doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02514

Osteoarticular radiographic findings of the distal forelimbs in Tbourida Horses.

Abstract: Tbourida is a traditional Moroccan equestrian sport in which 15 horses gallop 200 m in a line while riders fire into the sky with muskets. The stop is the finale and representative demands of this equestrian event. Such particular sudden stop after a fast gallop requires a hyperextension of the metacarpophalangeal joint. Indeed, it is well known that Tbourida show predisposes horses to different injuries of the hard and soft tissues of the distal forelimbs. Yet, there is a paucity of research that examined such lesions. The aim of the present study was to investigate for the first time the type and the prevalence of osteoarticular findings in the distal forelimbs of Tbourida horses using radiographic images. The study was conducted on 127 Tbourida horses aged between 2.5 and 15 years old with 6-year-old horses being the most affected. Data analysis showed that 93,7% of horses exhibit degenerative joint lesions of the fetlock, 86,6% showed ossification of the ungual cartilage, 78,7% had enthesophytes associated with the deep digital flexor tendons, 81,1% had enthesophytes associated with the suspensory ligament branches, and 19,6% showed a particular exostosis on the first phalanx. This large number of lesions reflects how this sport is difficult for horses and also argues that animals are suffering from a lack of welfare and care in their husbandry management.
© 2019 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2019-09-30 PubMed ID: 31687602PubMed Central: PMC6819765DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02514Google 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 study investigates the types and prevalence of bone and joint issues in the lower front legs of Moroccan Tbourida horses, using radiographic images. The sport these horses participate in involves strenuous activity that often leads to such problems.

Context and Aim of Study

  • The study focuses on Tbourida, a traditional Moroccan equestrian sport. Tbourida involves 15 horses galloping 200 meters in a line, and concludes with a sudden stop that puts significant strain on the horses’ metacarpophalangeal joint (a joint in the horse’s lower limb).
  • This sport is known to predispose participating horses to various injuries, particularly in the lower front limbs. However, these injuries have not been widely researched.
  • The main goal of this study was to investigate the types and the prevalence of osteoarticular findings (issues related to bones and joints) in the distal forelimbs of Tbourida horses.

Methodology and Results

  • The study was carried out using radiographic images from 127 Tbourida horses, ranging from 2.5 to 15 years old. The data revealed that 6-year-old horses were the most affected age group.
  • The analysis found that a significant proportion of the horses had degenerative joint lesions of the fetlock, ossification of the ungual cartilage, enthesophytes associated with the deep digital flexor tendons and the suspensory ligament branches, and a specific type of exostosis on the first phalanx.
  • Specifically, 93.7% of horses exhibited degenerative joint lesions of the fetlock, 86.6% showed ossification of the ungual cartilage, 78.7% had enthesophytes associated with the deep digital flexor tendons, 81.1% had enthesophytes associated with the suspensory ligament branches, and 19.6% showed a specific exostosis on the first phalanx.

Conclusions

  • The high prevalence of these injuries reflects how demanding the sport of Tbourida is on the horses’ physical health.
  • The study concludes by underlining the welfare concerns of the Tbourida horses, attributing the large number of injuries to possibly insufficient care and management of the animals.

Cite This Article

APA
Seghrouchni M, Elkasraoui H, Piro M, Alyakine H, Bouayad H, Chakir J, Tligui N, Elallali K, Azrib R. (2019). Osteoarticular radiographic findings of the distal forelimbs in Tbourida Horses. Heliyon, 5(9), e02514. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02514

Publication

Heliyon
ISSN: 2405-8440
NlmUniqueID: 101672560
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 5
Issue: 9
Pages: e02514
PII: e02514

Researcher Affiliations

Seghrouchni, Mohammed
  • Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary, Veterinary University Hospital, Madinat Al Irfane, Rabat, BP 6202, Morocco.
Elkasraoui, Hind
  • The Royal Cavalry School, Temara, Morocco.
Piro, Mohamed
  • Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary, Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Reproduction, Madinat Al Irfane, Rabat, BP 6202, Morocco.
Alyakine, Hassan
  • Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary, Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Reproduction, Madinat Al Irfane, Rabat, BP 6202, Morocco.
Bouayad, Hassan
  • Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary, Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Reproduction, Madinat Al Irfane, Rabat, BP 6202, Morocco.
Chakir, Jamal
  • The Royal Guard, Rabat, Morocco.
Tligui, Noursaid
  • Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary, Department of Pathology and Veterinary Public Health, Madinat Al Irfane, Rabat, BP 6202, Morocco.
Elallali, Khalid
  • Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary, Department of Comparative Anatomy, Madinat Al Irfane, Rabat, BP 6202, Morocco.
Azrib, Rahma
  • Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary, Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Reproduction, Madinat Al Irfane, Rabat, BP 6202, Morocco.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Abushhiwa MH, Elmeshreghi TN, Alrtib AM, Bennour EM, Oheida AH. First phalanx exostosis in traditional equestrian horses in Western Libya. Open Vet J 2022 Jan-Feb;12(1):69-74.
    doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2022.v12.i1.8pubmed: 35342735google scholar: lookup
  2. El Brini Z, Mhar I, Bouktaib FE, Piro M, Daniel C, Alyakine H. Common Radiographic Findings in Moroccan Working Equids: A Retrospective Study (2015-2022). Vet Sci 2026 Jan 8;13(1).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci13010060pubmed: 41600716google scholar: lookup
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