Pedal bone rotation as a prognostic sign in laminitis of horses.

The research article examines the relationship between the degree of pedal bone rotation in horses and their ability to return to athletic performance following laminitis, a common hoof disease. The study, conducted at the Michigan State University Veterinary Clinical Center, found that horses with severe pedal bone rotation were less likely to return to their former athletic function.

Overview of the Study

• The research study analyzed 91 cases of horses with laminitis that were admitted to the Michigan State University Veterinary Clinical Center from 1973 to 1978.
• The researchers categorized the cases into four different groups based on the horses’ ability to return to athletic function, which was obtained through case records and results of a telephone questionnaire.

Findings

• The study found a significant correlation between the degree of pedal bone rotation (a marker for severity of laminitis) and the horses’ return to athletic performance.
• Horses with less than 5.5 degrees of pedal bone rotation were generally able to return to their former athletic function.
• On the other hand, horses with more than 11.5 degrees of pedal bone rotation generally lost their use as performance animals.

Comparison between Horses and Ponies

• The study also compared the degree of pedal bone rotation between horses and ponies.
• Ponies, interestingly, had significantly more pedal bone rotation compared to horses, although the researchers did not provide a specific explanation for this finding.

Conclusion and Implications

• The research paper suggests that the extent of pedal bone rotation in horses could be a good prognostic indicator for the ability of horses with laminitis to return to their athletic function.
• These findings could assist veterinarians to better predict the outcome for horses with laminitis and guide treatment decisions.
• However, further research would be required to understand why ponies have more pedal bone rotation than horses, and how this impacts their ability to recover from laminitis.