Risk factors associated with hindlimb lameness and degenerative joint disease in the distal tarsus of Icelandic horses.

The research tackles the factors linked with hindlimb lameness and degenerative joint disease (DJD) in Icelandic horses’ distal tarsus. It proves that the horses’ sire, age, and stud show participation, among other factors, significantly contribute to lameness prevalence, while age, tarsal angle, and birthplace are momentous risk factors for radiographic signs of DJD in the distal tarsus.

Objective of Research

• The research intended to study potential risk factors associated with hindlimb lameness and radiographic signs of degenerative joint disease (DJD) in the distal tarsus of Icelandic horses. The aim was to understand the factors that contribute to these conditions, which can improve preventative care and treatment approaches for affected horses.

Research Methodology

• The study included 420 riding horses aged between 6 and 12 years from all major breeding lines and 194 riding horses from the same age group but from different sires.
• An interview was conducted with owners and trainers to gather extrinsic (environmental) and intrinsic (specific to the horse) data.
• Assessment comprised a check on conformation (the physical appearance and structure), a motion evaluation, and a radiographic examination.
• The research team performed data analysis in two steps: a preliminary screening using bivariate analysis followed by a more in-depth probing via a multivariate logistic regression model.

Key Findings

• The multivariate analysis revealed the horse’s sire, the age when the horse was saddled, and participation in stud shows were strongly correlated with lameness prevalence.
• The height at the croup (rump) and ability to perform different gaits had a lesser but noticeable association with lameness prevalence.
• The risk factors significantly associated with radiographic signs of DJD in the distal tarsus included the age of the horse, the tarsal angle, and the their birthplace.

Other Notable Results

• No significant correlation was found between training intensity variation, whether a professional or amateur trainer was used, or the temperament/front limb action of the individual horse and the prevalence of hindlimb lameness or radiographic signs of DJD in the Icelandic horse’s distal tarsus.