Prevalence of various presale radiographic findings and association of findings with sales price in Thoroughbred yearlings sold in Kentucky.

This research studies the common radiographic findings in Thoroughbred yearlings offered for sale at the 2006 Keeneland September yearling sale and how these findings, as well as a history of presale arthroscopy, relate to the sales price. It was found that certain radiographic diagnoses and a history of presale arthroscopy have significant influences on the sale price of the horses.

Methodology

• The study analysed the presale radiographs and health records of 397 Thoroughbred yearlings. This was a cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the prevalence of various radiographic findings and presale arthroscopy.
• Sales records were also scrutinised to compare the sales prices of yearlings with and without different presale radiographic findings or a history of arthroscopy.

Findings

• In the forelimbs, the most common radiographic findings included vascular channels in the proximal sesamoid bones, enthesophytes or osteophytes in the radiocarpal joint and osteochondritis lesions involving the sagittal ridge of the third metacarpal bone.
• In the hind limbs, the most frequent findings were enthesophytes or osteophytes involving the proximal sesamoid bones, abnormalities in the distodorsal aspect of the third metatarsal bone, enthesophytes or osteophytes involving the distal intertarsal joint, and osteochondritis lesions involving the stifle joint.
• The study found that 13% of the horses had a history of presale arthroscopy.

Association with Sales Price

• The median sales price was considerably lower for horses diagnosed with fragments of the proximal phalanx as compared to horses without such findings.
• Contrary to this, the median sales price was significantly higher for horses with a recorded history of presale arthroscopy as compared to horses without.

Conclusion

• The study revealed significant links between the diagnosis of fragments of the proximal phalanx, history of presale arthroscopy, and the sales price of Thoroughbred yearlings. Thus showing that the health status of a horse, specifically presale radiographic findings and history of arthroscopy, can greatly impact its market value.