FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2026; 16(3); 424; doi: 10.3390/ani16030424

Radiographic Prevalence of Anatomical Variations of the Ventral Lamina of the Sixth Cervical Vertebra, C6/C7 Articular Process Joint Modelling and Competition Outcomes in Warmblood Sport Horses.

Abstract: Anatomical variations of the caudal ventral lamina of the sixth cervical vertebra (C6), referred to as equine caudal cervical morphologic variations (ECCMV), and radiographic modelling of the caudal cervical articular process joints (APJ) are commonly identified in sport horses, yet their interrelationship and relevance for athletic performance remain controversial. This retrospective observational study aimed to determine the prevalence of ECCMV and APJ modelling in a clinically sound warmblood sport horse population, to evaluate a potential association and to assess if ECCMV affects competition performances. Records of 200 warmbloods, presented for pre-purchase examination between 2020 and 2024 were reviewed: the predominant breed was Hanoverian ( = 131), followed by Oldenburg ( = 27) and Holsteiner ( = 22), including 127 geldings, 61 mares and 12 stallions with a median age of 5. ECCMV was diagnosed on latero-lateral radiographs if the caudal ventral lamina of C6 was uni- or bilaterally absent, and APJ modelling at C6/C7 was graded as either normal or mild or moderate to severe. Competition placings and lifetime earnings of each horse were collected from the German National Equestrian Federation database. ECCMV was found in 30% of horses and APJ modelling in 32.5% (mild 26.5%, moderate/severe 6%). There was no significant association between the presence of ECCMV, APJ alterations and competition results, but horses with ECCMV were less likely to exhibit radiographic changes in the adjacent APJ compared to those with a normal C6 morphology (23.3% vs. 36.4%). In conclusion, ECCMV is a common anatomical variation in clinically sound warmbloods, neither predisposing them to APJ modelling nor limiting athletic performance.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2026-01-29 PubMed ID: 41681407PubMed Central: PMC12896636DOI: 10.3390/ani16030424Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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.

Objective Overview

  • This study investigated how common specific anatomical variations in the sixth cervical vertebra (C6) are in warmblood sport horses, whether these variations are related to joint changes, and if they affect horses’ competition performance.

Background

  • In equine anatomy, the sixth cervical vertebra (C6) can exhibit variations in its caudal ventral lamina, known as equine caudal cervical morphologic variations (ECCMV).
  • Adjacent to this area is the articular process joint (APJ) between C6 and C7, which can show signs of degenerative changes or modelling visible on radiographs.
  • Both ECCMV and APJ changes are often seen in sport horses, but it has been unclear whether they influence each other or affect the athletic performance of these horses.

Study Design and Population

  • This was a retrospective observational study reviewing medical records and radiographs from 200 warmblood sport horses presented for pre-purchase examinations from 2020 to 2024.
  • The horses mainly consisted of three breeds: Hanoverian (131), Oldenburg (27), and Holsteiner (22).
  • The sample included 127 geldings, 61 mares, and 12 stallions, with a median age of 5 years.

Methods

  • Lateral radiographs of the cervical region were evaluated to identify ECCMV, determined by the absence (unilateral or bilateral) of the caudal ventral lamina on C6.
  • Radiographic modelling of the C6/C7 APJ was graded into either normal, mild, or moderate to severe changes.
  • Competition data such as placings and lifetime earnings were obtained from the German National Equestrian Federation database to assess performance outcomes in relation to anatomical findings.

Findings

  • ECCMV was identified in 30% of the horses examined, indicating that this anatomical variation is relatively common.
  • Radiographic modelling of the APJ was present in 32.5% of the horses: mild changes were seen in 26.5%, while moderate to severe changes were seen in 6%.
  • No significant statistical association was found between the presence of ECCMV and APJ modelling—meaning having ECCMV did not increase the likelihood of APJ changes.
  • Interestingly, horses with ECCMV were actually less likely to have APJ radiographic changes (23.3%) compared to horses with normal C6 morphology (36.4%).
  • There was no detectable impact of ECCMV on competition results or lifetime earnings.

Conclusions

  • ECCMV is a frequent anatomical variation in warmblood sport horses that appear clinically sound and fit for competition.
  • Presence of ECCMV does not predispose horses to degenerative changes in the adjacent C6/C7 articular joint.
  • ECCMV does not negatively affect the horse’s athletic performance, as measured by competition results and earnings.
  • These findings suggest that identification of ECCMV should not be considered a contraindication or a marker of poor prognosis for competitive use in warmblood sport horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Strootmann T, Peter VG, Körner J. (2026). Radiographic Prevalence of Anatomical Variations of the Ventral Lamina of the Sixth Cervical Vertebra, C6/C7 Articular Process Joint Modelling and Competition Outcomes in Warmblood Sport Horses. Animals (Basel), 16(3), 424. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16030424

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 16
Issue: 3
PII: 424

Researcher Affiliations

Strootmann, Teresa
  • Hanse Equine Clinic, 27419 Sittensen, Germany.
Peter, Vanessa G
  • Rossdales Equine Diagnostic Centre, Newmarket CB8 7NN, UK.
Körner, Jens
  • Hanse Equine Clinic, 27419 Sittensen, Germany.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

This article includes 26 references
  1. Veraa S, Bergmann W, van den Belt A-J, Wijnberg I, Back W. Ex Vivo Computed Tomographic Evaluation of Morphology Variations in Equine Cervical Vertebrae. Vet. Radiol. Ultrasound 2016;57:482–488.
    doi: 10.1111/vru.12393pubmed: 27438135google scholar: lookup
  2. Dyson S, Phillips K, Zheng S, Aleman M. Congenital Variants of the Ventral Laminae of the Sixth and Seventh Cervical Vertebrae Are Not Associated with Clinical Signs or Other Radiological Abnormalities of the Cervicothoracic Region in Warmblood Horses. Equine Vet. J. 2025;57:419–430.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14127pmc: PMC11807929pubmed: 38938125google scholar: lookup
  3. Henderson C.S, Story M.R, Nout-Lomas Y.S. Neck Pain but Not Neurologic Disease Occurs More Frequently in Horses with Transposition of the Ventral Lamina from C6 to C7. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 2024;262:1215–1221.
    doi: 10.2460/javma.24.04.0230pubmed: 38810659google scholar: lookup
  4. Dyson S, Quiney L, Phillips K, Zheng S, Aleman M. Radiological Abnormalities of the Cervicothoracic Vertebrae in Warmblood Horses with Primary Neck-Related Clinical Signs Versus Controls. Vet. Radiol. Ultrasound 2024;65:755–768.
    doi: 10.1111/vru.13420pubmed: 39161192google scholar: lookup
  5. May-Davis S, Dzingle D, Saber E, Blades Eckelbarger P. Characterization of the Caudal Ventral Tubercle in the Sixth Cervical Vertebra in Modern Equus Ferus Caballus. Animals 2023;13:2384.
    doi: 10.3390/ani13142384pmc: PMC10376820pubmed: 37508161google scholar: lookup
  6. Ros K.B, Doveren A, Dreessen C, Pellmann R, Beccati F, Zimmermann E, Distl O. Radiological Methods for the Imaging of Congenital Malformations of C6-T1, the First and Second Sternal Ribs and Development of a Classification System, Demonstrated in Warmblood Horses. Animals 2023;13:3732.
    doi: 10.3390/ani13233732pmc: PMC10705149pubmed: 38067084google scholar: lookup
  7. Gee C, Small A, Shorter K, Brown W.Y. A Radiographic Technique for Assessment of Morphologic Variations of the Equine Caudal Cervical Spine. Animals 2020;10:667.
    doi: 10.3390/ani10040667pmc: PMC7222808pubmed: 32290538google scholar: lookup
  8. Santinelli I, Beccati F, Arcelli R, Pepe M. Anatomical Variation of the Spinous and Transverse Processes in the Caudal Cervical Vertebrae and the First Thoracic Vertebra in Horses. Equine Vet. J. 2016;48:45–49.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.12397pubmed: 25471336google scholar: lookup
  9. May-Davis S. The Occurrence of a Congenital Malformation in the Sixth and Seventh Cervical Vertebrae Predominantly Observed in Thoroughbred Horses. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2014;34:1313–1317.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2014.09.012google scholar: lookup
  10. May-Davis S, Walker C. Variations and Implications of the Gross Morphology in the Longus Colli Muscle in Thoroughbred and Thoroughbred Derivative Horses Presenting with a Congenital Malformation of the Sixth and Seventh Cervical Vertebrae. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2015;35:560–568.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2015.03.002google scholar: lookup
  11. DeRouen A, Spriet M, Aleman M. Prevalence of Anatomical Variation of the Sixth Cervical Vertebra and Association with Vertebral Canal Stenosis and Articular Process Osteoarthritis in the Horse. Vet. Radiol. Ultrasound 2016;57:253–258.
    doi: 10.1111/vru.12350pubmed: 26915973google scholar: lookup
  12. Beccati F, Pepe M, Santinelli I, Gialletti R, Di Meo A, Romero J.M. Radiographic Findings and Anatomical Variations of the Caudal Cervical Area in Horses with Neck Pain and Ataxia: Case-Control Study on 116 Horses. Vet. Rec. 2020;187:e79.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.105756pubmed: 33033105google scholar: lookup
  13. Withers J.M, Voûte L.C, Hammond G, Lischer C.J. Radiographic Anatomy of the Articular Process Joints of the Caudal Cervical Vertebrae in the Horse on Lateral and Oblique Projections. Equine Vet. J. 2009;41:895–902.
    doi: 10.2746/042516409X434107pubmed: 20383988google scholar: lookup
  14. Rovel T, Zimmerman M, Duchateau L, Delesalle C, Adriaensen E, Mariën T, Saunders J.H, Vanderperren K. Computed Tomographic Examination of the Articular Process Joints of the Cervical Spine in Warmblood Horses: 86 Cases (2015–2017). J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 2021;259:1178–1187.
    doi: 10.2460/javma.20.03.0105pubmed: 34727072google scholar: lookup
  15. Janes J.G, Garrett K.S, McQuerry K.J, Waddell S, Voor M.J, Reed S.M, Williams N.M, MacLeod J.N. Cervical Vertebral Lesions in Equine Stenotic Myelopathy. Vet. Pathol. 2015;52:919–927.
    doi: 10.1177/0300985815593127pubmed: 26169385google scholar: lookup
  16. Down SS, Henson FMD. Radiographic Retrospective Study of the Caudal Cervical Articular Process Joints in the Horse. Equine Vet. J. 2009;41:518–524.
    doi: 10.2746/042516409x391015pubmed: 19803045google scholar: lookup
  17. Brown KA, Davidson EJ, Johnson AL, Stefanovski D, Wulster KB, Ortved K. Interobserver Agreement of Lateral and Oblique Radiography and Standing Cone Beam CT of the Caudal Cervical Articular Process Joints of Horses. Vet. Radiol. Ultrasound 2023;64:585–592.
    doi: 10.1111/vru.13229pubmed: 36994690google scholar: lookup
  18. Espinosa-Mur P, Phillips KL, Galuppo LD, DeRouen A, Benoit P, Anderson E, Shaw K, Puchalski S, Peters D, Kass PH. Radiological Prevalence of Osteoarthritis of the Cervical Region in 104 Performing Warmblood Jumpers. Equine Vet. J. 2021;53:972–978.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.13383pubmed: 33174228google scholar: lookup
  19. Koenig JB, Westlund A, Nykamp S, Kenney DG, Melville L, Cribb N, Oberbichler D. Case-Control Comparison of Cervical Spine Radiographs from Horses with a Clinical Diagnosis of Cervical Facet Disease with Normal Horses. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2020;92:103176.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103176pubmed: 32797798google scholar: lookup
  20. Veraa S, de Graaf K, Wijnberg ID, Back W, Vernooij H, Nielen M, Belt AJM. Caudal Cervical Vertebral Morphological Variation Is Not Associated with Clinical Signs in Warmblood Horses. Equine Vet. J. 2020;52:219–224.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.13140pmc: PMC7027909pubmed: 31211852google scholar: lookup
  21. Whitwell KE, Dyson S. Interpreting Radiographs. 8: Equine Cervical Vertebrae. Equine Vet. J. 1987;19:8–14.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1987.tb02568.xpubmed: 3319578google scholar: lookup
  22. Dyson S, Zheng S, Aleman M. Primary Phenotypic Features Associated with Caudal Neck Pathology in Warmblood Horses. J. Vet. Intern. Med. 2024;38:2380–2390.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.17125pmc: PMC11256129pubmed: 38829000google scholar: lookup
  23. Spoormakers T, Veraa S, Brommer H. A Comparative Study of Breed Differences in the Anatomical Configuration of the Equine Vertebral Column. J. Anat. 2021;239:829–838.
    pmc: PMC8450477pubmed: 33991425
  24. Veraa S, Scheffer CJW, Smeets DHM, de Bruin RB, Hoogendoorn AC, Vernooij JCM, Nielen M, Back W. Cervical Disc Width Index Is a Reliable Parameter and Consistent in Young Growing Dutch Warmblood Horses. Vet. Radiol. Ultrasound 2020;62:11–19.
    doi: 10.1111/vru.12913pmc: PMC7894175pubmed: 33090577google scholar: lookup
  25. Crijns CP, Broeckx BJG. Evaluation of cervical radiographs in Dutch Warmblood horses, using a novel radiographic grading system for the cervical articular process joints. Equine Vet. Educ. 2021;33:593–601.
  26. Story MR, Haussler KK, Nout-Lomas YS, Aboellail TA, Kawcak CE, Barrett MF, Frisbie DD, McIlwraith CW. Equine Cervical Pain and Dysfunction: Pathology, Diagnosis and Treatment. Animals 2021;11:422.
    doi: 10.3390/ani11020422pmc: PMC7915466pubmed: 33562089google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,911 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.