Sacroiliac lesions as a cause of chronic poor performance in competitive horses.
Abstract: The histories and clinical signs in 11 horses with longstanding poor performance attributed to chronic sacroiliac damage are described. The main clinical feature was a lack of impulsion from one or both hindlimbs causing a restriction in the hind gait or lowgrade lameness. A temporary improvement was often achieved using anti-inflammatory medication, but eventually all the horses were killed because of unsatisfactory progress at exercise. Post mortem examination revealed that changes were confined to the sacroiliac joints. The macroscopic and histological findings varied considerably and in only two cases could the changes be classified histologically as arthrosis. In the other nine horses there was increased joint surface area or irregular outline associated with extensions of the joint on the caudomedial aspect. These changes were interpreted as indicating a chronic instability of the joint leading to restriction of hindlimb impulsion. The underlying cause of the problem was not ascertained but the significance and possible pathogenesis of the lesions are discussed.
Publication Date: 1985-03-01 PubMed ID: 3987658DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1985.tb02063.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The study chronicled the discovery and examination of sacroiliac disorders in 11 competitive horses that led to their underperformance and eventual death. The vets were unable to establish the root cause of the disease, but provided insights into its effects and likely onset.
Research Focus
- The study was focused on exploring the causes of chronic poor performance in horses. In particular, the researchers were interested in investigating sacroiliac lesions as a potential cause.
Study Overview
- The researchers examined the clinical histories and signs in 11 horses that had chronically low performance, beleived to have been caused by damage to the sacroiliac joint.
- The most common symptom among the horses was a lack of impulsion from one or both of the hindlimbs. This inhibited their rear gait and resulted in low-grade lameness.
- Temporary improvements in the horses’ conditions were achieved through the administration of anti-inflammatory drugs, however, the progress was deemed unsatisfactory and all horses had to be euthanized.
Post Mortem Findings
- Upon post mortem examination, it was found that the identified changes were restricted to the sacroiliac joints of the horses.
- The examination revealed varied macroscopic and histological findings. In only two cases, the changes could be classified as arthrosis histologically.
- In the other nine cases, there was an observed increase in joint surface area or an irregular outline. These were associated with an extension of the joint on the caudomedial aspect and were interpreted as indications of chronic instability of the joint causing a restriction in the hindlimbs’ impulsion.
Interpretation and Future Research
- The researchers were unable to find an underlying cause for the sacroiliac lesions in these select competitive horses.
- The effects and possible onset of such lesions are discussed, providing a foundation for future research on the topic to help in early detection and treatment of the condition in competitive horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Jeffcott LB, Dalin G, Ekman S, Olsson SE.
(1985).
Sacroiliac lesions as a cause of chronic poor performance in competitive horses.
Equine Vet J, 17(2), 111-118.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1985.tb02063.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Joint Diseases / pathology
- Joint Diseases / veterinary
- Joint Instability / pathology
- Joint Instability / veterinary
- Physical Exertion
- Sacroiliac Joint / pathology
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Offord SCJ, Read RM, Pudney CJ, Bathe AP. Complications following equine sacroiliac region analgesia are uncommon: A study in 118 horses. PLoS One 2021;16(3):e0247781.
- Mathys RA, Schmitz TR, Geyer H, Borel N, Hilbe M, Ohlerth S, Bischofberger AS. Multi-Detector Helical Computed Tomography, Transrectal Ultrasonography, and Histology of the Sacroiliac Joint: A Comparative Study in Adult Warmblood Horse Cadavers. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jul 7;15(13).
- Ogden NKE, Winderickx K, Stack JD. Computed tomography of the equine caudal spine and pelvis. Pathological findings in 56 clinical cases (2018-2023). Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1279-1289.
- Ogden NKE, Winderickx K, Bennell A, Stack JD. Computed tomography of the equine caudal spine and pelvis: Technique, image quality and anatomical variation in 56 clinical cases (2018-2023). Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1265-1278.
- Tranquille CA, Chojnacka K, Murray RC. Musculoskeletal Injury and Illness Patterns in British Eventing Horses: A Descriptive Study. Animals (Basel) 2024 Sep 13;14(18).
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