[Prevalence of hereditary diseases in three-year-old horses of the Freiberger breed].

This study examines the occurrence of genetic diseases such as equine sarcoid, insect bite hypersensitivity, osteochondrosis, allergic airway diseases, podotrochleosis, prognatism and wind-sucking in a Swiss horse breed known as the Franches-Montagnes. Through clinical examinations and owner-provided information, the research determines that the breed is largely healthy, albeit with a notable occurrence of sarcoids.

Objective and Methodology

• The study sought to explore the prevalence of diseases thought to have hereditary roots in the Franches-Montagnes horse breed.
• A total of 702 three-year-old horses of this breed underwent clinical examination for signs of these hereditary diseases.
• Owners of these horses filled out questionnaires supplying additional information about the animals’ health, environment, and feeding habits.

Findings

• Sarcoids were found in 11.9% of the horses examined, with 6.2% bearing one tumor while 5.7% had multiple tumors.
• The prevalence of sarcoids was higher (16.6%) in chestnut horses compared to their bay counterparts (10.1%).
• The rate of sarcoid occurrence in offspring from males with known sarcoids did not significantly outstrip that in progeny from males without a known history of this condition.
• Signs of insect bite hypersensitivity were present in just six horses, representing 0.9% of the sample.
• Hoof abnormalities such as brittle horn, ring hoofs, or varying degrees of hoof cracks were noted in 12% of the examined horses.
• The average angle between the hoof base and hoof wall was calculated to be 56.7 +/- 0.1 degrees, the average hoof width was noted as 13.7 +/- 0.3 cm in the distal forelimbs.
• There were no significant differences found between left and right feet with regards to these measures.

Conclusion

• Despite a high prevalence of sarcoids, the study concludes that the Franches-Montagnes horse breed is generally healthy, with relatively low occurrences of the other investigated disorders.