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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Equine Sci / Relationships between morphometric measurements and musculos...
Journal of equine science2020; 31(2); 23-27; doi: 10.1294/jes.31.23

Relationships between morphometric measurements and musculoskeletal disorders in jumping Thoroughbred horses.

Abstract: There is limited knowledge about causes of musculoskeletal injury in jumping Thoroughbred horses. The objective of this study was to describe the relationships between musculoskeletal disorders and linear and angular limb measurements acquired from photographs of horses with markers at specific reference points. The diagnosed musculoskeletal disorders in either fore or hind limbs were flexor tendonitis, suspensory ligaments desmitis, and osteoarthritis of the distal intertarsal and tarso-metatarsal and carpometacarpal joints. Lengths and angles in 17 clinically normal jumping Thoroughbred horses and 34 horses with musculoskeletal problems were measured. Horses with musculoskeletal disorders had significantly shorter neck, shoulder, and pelvis lengths (P<0.05), significantly longer arm and forearm front lengths (P<0.05), and significantly lower front shoulder, elbow, and hind fetlock joint angles (P<0.05). In conclusion, this study describes significant relationships between linear and angular morphometric measurements and musculoskeletal disorders in jumping Thoroughbred horses. These data could possibly provide indicators for better selection of jumpers with less risk of developing orthopedic disorders.
©2020 The Japanese Society of Equine Science.
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Publication Date: 2020-06-24 PubMed ID: 32617072PubMed Central: PMC7316700DOI: 10.1294/jes.31.23Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

This research article investigates the possible link between the physical measurements of Thoroughbred horses and their susceptibility to musculoskeletal disorders, with the aim of using this information for better selection of jumping horses to minimize the risk of injury.

Objective of the Study

  • The primary objective of this research was to establish the relationships between musculoskeletal disorders in Thoroughbred horses and their linear and angular limb measurements. These measurements were taken from horse photographs marked at specific points of reference.

Identified Musculoskeletal Disorders

  • Horses used for this study were diagnosed with musculoskeletal conditions in either their fore or hind limbs. These conditions included flexor tendonitis, desmitis of the suspensory ligaments, and osteoarthritis of the distal intertarsal, the tarso-metatarsal, and the carpometacarpal joints.

Participants and Measurements

  • The study sample consisted of 17 clinically normal Thoroughbred horses and 34 horses diagnosed with musculoskeletal problems, all of which were involved in jumping activities.
  • Various measurements including the length and angles of specific body parts were taken. These included the neck, shoulder, pelvis, arm, and forearm. Joint angles for the front shoulder, elbow, and hind fetlock joint were also measured.

Results of the Study

  • The researchers found significant differences in the measurements of the horses with musculoskeletal disorders compared to the clinically normal horses.
  • Horses with musculoskeletal disorders were found to have shorter necks, shoulders, and pelvis lengths when compared to their healthy counterparts.
  • Conversely, horses with musculoskeletal disorders had longer front arm and forearm lengths.
  • Additionally, the horses with musculoskeletal problems had lower front shoulder, elbow, and hind fetlock joint angles.

Conclusion and Implications

  • This study found significant links between certain physical measurements and the likelihood of musculoskeletal disorders in Thoroughbred jumping horses.
  • These findings could potentially be used as indicators for the selection of jumpers in an attempt to reduce the risk of orthopedic disorders. It suggests that studying a horse’s physical measures could help predict the likelihood of injuries in the future.

Cite This Article

APA
Mostafa MB, Elemmawy YM. (2020). Relationships between morphometric measurements and musculoskeletal disorders in jumping Thoroughbred horses. J Equine Sci, 31(2), 23-27. https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.31.23

Publication

Journal of equine science
ISSN: 1340-3516
NlmUniqueID: 9503751
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 31
Issue: 2
Pages: 23-27

Researcher Affiliations

Mostafa, Mohamed B
  • Department of Veterinary Surgery Anesthesiology and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, P.O. Box 12211 Giza, Egypt.
Elemmawy, Yahya M
  • Department of Veterinary Surgery Anesthesiology and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, P.O. Box 12211 Giza, Egypt.

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Tymicki G, Puzio I, Pawłowska-Olszewska M, Bieńko M, Radzki RP. The Influence of Nesfatin-1 on Bone Metabolism Markers Concentration, Densitometric, Tomographic and Mechanical Parameters of Skeletal System of Rats in the Conditions of Established Osteopenia. Animals (Basel) 2022 Mar 4;12(5).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12050654pubmed: 35268222google scholar: lookup
  2. Ahmad I, Ijaz S, Usman MM, Safdar A, Khan IU, Zeeshan M, Bukhari SSUH. Evaluating Forelimb and Hindlimb Joint Conformation of Morna Racehorses (Equus caballus). Vet Sci 2025 Jan 5;12(1).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci12010020pubmed: 39852895google scholar: lookup
  3. Ripollés-Lobo M, Perdomo-González DI, Valera M, Gómez MD. Conformational Defects in the Limbs of Menorca Purebred Horses and Their Relationship to Functionality. Animals (Basel) 2024 Mar 31;14(7).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14071071pubmed: 38612310google scholar: lookup
  4. Iglesias Pastrana C, Navas González FJ, Ciani E, Marín Navas C, Delgado Bermejo JV. Determination of breeding criteria for gait proficiency in leisure riding and racing dromedary camels: a stepwise multivariate analysis of factors predicting overall biomechanical performance. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1297430.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1297430pubmed: 38292133google scholar: lookup
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