Radiographic changes in Thoroughbred yearlings. Part 1: Prevalence at the time of the yearling sales.
Abstract: Radiography in presale examinations of TB yearlings has become standard practice in recent years. Objective: To describe the prevalence and distribution of radiographic changes in the fetlocks, carpi, tarsi, stifles and fore feet of Thoroughbred yearlings in central Kentucky when these joints were examined as part of routine pre- and post sale evaluations. Methods: Horses subjected to radiographs included the fore (n = 1127) and hind (n = 1102) fetlocks, carpi (n = 1130), tarsi (n = 1101), stifles (n = 660) and fore feet (n = 300). Radiographic changes were categorised by location and type of change present (e.g. lucency, fragment) for each series. Results: In the fore fetlocks 1.6% had fragmentation of the proximal dorsal first phalanx and 0.5% fragmentation of the proximal palmar aspect. In the hind fetlocks 5.9% had fragmentation at the plantar aspect and 3.3% fragmentation dorsally. Lucencies, fragments or loose bodies were detected at the dorsal aspect of the distal third metacarpus in 2.8% and, at the same location on the third metatarsus, 3.2%. Most yearlings (98%) had vascular channels in the proximal sesamoid bones and irregular vascular channels (> 2 mm wide or with nonparallel sides) were more common (79%) than regular vascular channels (56%). The intermediate ridge of the distal tibia was the most common location for fragmentation in the tarsus (4.4%). Conclusions: While some radiographic changes, e.g. vascular channels in proximal sesamoid bones, are very common in Thoroughbred yearlings, others, e.g. fragmentation or subchondral lucency within joints are quite rare usually affecting less than 5% of the population. Conclusions: Veterinarians should expect to find radiographic changes in Thoroughbreds presented for examination prior to the yearling sales. The rarity of some changes thought to affect soundness or racing performance will make further invesigation of these conditions in horses without clinical signs more difficult.
Publication Date: 2003-07-26 PubMed ID: 12880003DOI: 10.2746/042516403776014280Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research study focuses on the prevalence and distribution of radiographic changes in body parts such as the fetlocks, carpi, tarsi, stifles, and fore feet of Thoroughbred yearlings in central Kentucky, which were examined during routine presale and postsale evaluations. Results showed that while some radiographic changes are common, others such as fragmentation or subchondral lucency within joints are quite rare.
Methodology
- The researchers used radiography as a standard practice for presale examinations of Thoroughbred yearlings.
- Horses subjected to radiographs included different body parts such as the fore and hind fetlocks, carpi, tarsi, stifles, and fore feet. The number of horses subjected to radiographs varied for each body part.
- The researchers categorized radiographic changes by location and type of change present.
Study Results
- The findings showed that the most common location for fragmentation in the tarsus was the intermediate ridge of the distal tibia, occurring in 4.4% of cases.
- Lucencies, fragments, or loose bodies were identified at specific parts of the third metacarpus and metatarsus, occurring in 2.8% and 3.2% of cases, respectively.
- Fragmentation was noted in the fore and hind fetlocks affecting 1.6% and 5.9% of horses respectively.
- Most yearlings (98%) had vascular channels in the proximal sesamoid bones, and irregular vascular channels were more common (79%) than regular ones (56%).
Conclusions
- Although some radiographic changes, such as vascular channels in proximal sesamoid bones, are very common in Thoroughbred yearlings, others, including fragmentation or subchondral lucency within joints, are quite rare, affecting less than 5% of the population.
- The researchers concluded that veterinarians should expect to find radiographic changes in Thoroughbreds presented for examination prior to the yearling sales.
- Due to the rarity of some changes that could affect soundness or racing performance, further investigations of these conditions in horses without clinical signs are more challenging.
Cite This Article
APA
Kane AJ, Park RD, McIlwraith CW, Rantanen NW, Morehead JP, Bramlage LR.
(2003).
Radiographic changes in Thoroughbred yearlings. Part 1: Prevalence at the time of the yearling sales.
Equine Vet J, 35(4), 354-365.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516403776014280 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Carpus, Animal / diagnostic imaging
- Commerce
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / economics
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Prevalence
- Radiography
- Stifle / diagnostic imaging
- Tarsus, Animal / diagnostic imaging
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Seghrouchni M, Elkasraoui H, Piro M, Alyakine H, Bouayad H, Chakir J, Tligui N, Elallali K, Azrib R. Osteoarticular radiographic findings of the distal forelimbs in Tbourida Horses.. Heliyon 2019 Sep;5(9):e02514.
- Raudsepp T, Finno CJ, Bellone RR, Petersen JL. Ten years of the horse reference genome: insights into equine biology, domestication and population dynamics in the post-genome era.. Anim Genet 2019 Dec;50(6):569-597.
- Peter VG, O'Keeffe TA, Smith LCR, Schweizer-Gorgas D. Radiographic Identification of Osseous Cyst- Like Lesions in the Distal Phalanx in 22 Lame Thoroughbred Horses Managed Conservatively and Their Racing Performance.. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:286.
- Miyakoshi D, Senba H, Shikichi M, Maeda M, Shibata R, Misumi K. A retrospective study of radiographic abnormalities in the repositories for Thoroughbreds at yearling sales in Japan.. J Vet Med Sci 2017 Nov 10;79(11):1807-1814.
- Russell J, Matika O, Russell T, Reardon RJ. Heritability and prevalence of selected osteochondrosis lesions in yearling Thoroughbred horses.. Equine Vet J 2017 May;49(3):282-287.
- Miyakoshi D, Senba H, Shikichi M, Maeda M, Shibata R, Misumi K. A retrospective study of radiographic abnormalities in the repositories of 2-year-old Thoroughbred in-training sales in Japan.. J Equine Sci 2016;27(2):67-76.
- McCoy AM, Toth F, Dolvik NI, Ekman S, Ellermann J, Olstad K, Ytrehus B, Carlson CS. Articular osteochondrosis: a comparison of naturally-occurring human and animal disease.. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2013 Nov;21(11):1638-47.
- Vos NJ. Incidence of osteochondrosis (dissecans) in Dutch warmblood horses presented for pre-purchase examination.. Ir Vet J 2008 Jan 1;61(1):33-7.
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