Skeletal growth rates of weanling and yearling thoroughbred horses.
Abstract: This study was conducted to determine normal rates of growth of different skeletal segments in the thoroughbred horse. Growth of body weight and eight skeletal segments (wither height, hip height, body length, knee to pastern length, hock to pastern length, shoulder to pastern length, width of chest, depth of girth) were monitored in 106 horses (60 colts, 46 fillies) during the period from 14 to 588 d of age. Body weight gains were slightly higher (30 to 40 kg) than previously reported values. Growth in wither height and hip height were similar to previous reports. During the period measured in this study hip height was consistently 2 or 3 cm larger than wither height. Growth patterns for wither height, body length, and shoulder to pastern lengths were similar to one another. Growth of the knee to pastern and hock to pastern segments reached a plateau at approximately 140 d of age, which coincided with the cessation of longitudinal bone growth. These data define skeletal growth patterns in the thoroughbred horse and are useful in determining the relationship between growth and the occurrence of orthopedic diseases in horses.
Publication Date: 1995-09-01 PubMed ID: 8582838DOI: 10.2527/1995.7392513xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research focuses on examining the normal growth rates of specific skeletal segments in thoroughbred horses, intended to help understand the association between growth and the onset of orthopedic diseases in these horses.
Objective of the Study
- The primary objective of this research study was to establish the standard rates of growth for various skeletal segments in thoroughbred horses. This understanding would shed light on the connections between growth and the appearance of orthopedic diseases in horses.
Methodology of the Study
- The study monitored the growth of body weight and eight different skeletal segments in 106 horses, with a mix of 60 colts and 46 fillies.
- The skeletal segments included measurements like wither height, hip height, body length, knee to pastern length, hock to pastern length, shoulder to pastern length, width of the chest, and depth of the girth.
- The growth was tracked over a period of 14 to 588 days of age.
Findings of the Study
- The research found that the body weight gains were slightly higher (30 to 40 kg) than the values previously reported in other studies.
- Growth rates for wither height and hip height were reportedly similar to what has been previously mentioned in scientific literature.
- Detailed observation showed that during the measured period, hip height was consistently 2 or 3 cm larger than the wither height.
- The growth patterns for wither height, body length, and shoulder to pastern lengths were found to be alike.
- For knee to pastern and hock to pastern segments, the growth reached a plateau around approximately 140 days of age. This observation aligned with the cessation of longitudinal bone growth.
Relevance of the Study
- The data and insights derived from the study establish a definitive understanding of skeletal growth patterns in thoroughbred horses.
- Such knowledge is critically important for veterinarians and horse caretakers as it equips them better to anticipate and manage the occurrence of orthopedic diseases in horses, which are commonly linked to their growth cycles.
Cite This Article
APA
Thompson KN.
(1995).
Skeletal growth rates of weanling and yearling thoroughbred horses.
J Anim Sci, 73(9), 2513-2517.
https://doi.org/10.2527/1995.7392513x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- University of Kentucky, Department of Veterinary Science, Lexington 40546-0099, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Aging / physiology
- Animals
- Body Weight / physiology
- Bone Development / physiology
- Bone and Bones / physiology
- Female
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / growth & development
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Reference Values
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Rogers CW, Gee EK, Dittmer KE. Growth and Bone Development in the Horse: When Is a Horse Skeletally Mature?. Animals (Basel) 2021 Nov 29;11(12).
- Cappai MG, Taras A, Biggio GP, Dimauro C, Gatta D, Cossu I, Cherchi R, Pinna W. NEFA, BHBa, UREA and Liver Enzyme Variation in the Bloodstream of Weaned Foals up to 18 Months of Age. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jun 11;11(6).
- Gorissen BMC, Wolschrijn CF, Serra Bragança FM, Geerts AAJ, Leenders WOJL, Back W, van Weeren PR. The development of locomotor kinetics in the foal and the effect of osteochondrosis. Equine Vet J 2017 Jul;49(4):467-474.
- Gramm M, Marksteiner R. The effect of age on thoroughbred racing performance. J Equine Sci 2010;21(4):73-8.
- Moore GE, Leatherwood JL, Glass KG, Arnold CE, Paris BL, Carter MM, George JM, Fontenot AB, Martinez RE, Franklin MA, Norton SA, Bradbery AN, Wickersham TA. Influence of dietary Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product on markers of inflammation and cartilage metabolism in young exercising horses challenged with intra-articular lipopolysaccharide. Transl Anim Sci 2025;9:txaf042.
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