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Equine veterinary journal2025; doi: 10.1111/evj.14484

The change in third metacarpal mid-diaphyseal radiographic dimensions in Thoroughbred foals through growth.

Abstract: Changes in the third metacarpal (MC3) mid-diaphyseal dimensions were measured radiographically in young Thoroughbred racehorses through race training and found to be associated with a higher risk of shin soreness. However, it is still unclear whether such negative MC3 morphologies are set congenitally or through development. Objective: To quantify MC3 bone dimensional changes through growth. Methods: Longitudinal. Methods: Twenty privately owned Thoroughbred foals were radiographed bimonthly from birth to 14 months of age. Four linear MC3 parameters (proximodistal MC3 length, mid-diaphyseal dorsal and palmar cortical bone thickness, and dorsopalmar medullary width) were measured using ImageJ on lateromedial radiographs. Associations with age (growth), MC3 length, differences between left and right limbs, and between sexes were analysed separately using a linear mixed effects model. Results: The dorsal cortical bone thickness showed a positive linear relationship with growth (0.4 0.02 mm per month, p < 0.001, 95% CI [0.37, 0.44]) while the medullary width did not change. The relative thickness of the dorsal cortical bone thickness compared with the medullary cavity width and palmar cortical bone thickness also increased through growth (0.2 0.01 mm per month, p < 0.001, 95% CI [0.14, 0.19]). The dorsal cortical bone thickness was positively associated with MC3 length (0.07 0.0001 mm per mm increase in MC3 length, p < 0.001, 95% CI [0.05, 0.08]) and the relative thickness of the dorsal cortical bone thickness (RI) to the rest of the diaphyseal parameters (0.02 0.01 per mm increase in MC3 length, p = 0.01, 95% CI [0.01, 0.03]). Conclusions: A limited number of foals were included with similar breeding. Conclusions: The mid-diaphyseal dorsal cortical bone thickness and proportions could be measured to monitor musculoskeletal development and identify foals at increased risk of shin soreness or those that are immature or otherwise need more time before the commencement of fast training.
© 2025 The Author(s). Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2025-02-19 PubMed ID: 39967447DOI: 10.1111/evj.14484Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 examines changes in the mid-section of the third metacarpal bone (found on the front leg of a horse) in young Thoroughbred horses, and its relationship with shin soreness. The study found that increases in certain dimensions of this bone are associated with an elevated risk for shin soreness.

Objective and Methods

A longitudinal study was performed on twenty privately owned Thoroughbred foals. They were monitored bi-monthly from birth to 14 months of age. The dimensions of the third metacarpal (MC3) bone were measured using radiographic images. Four linear MC3 variables were analyzed – the length of the bone, the thickness of dorsal and palmar cortical bone at the mid-section, and the width of the medullary (or marrow) cavity. The researchers used a statistical model to determine any relationships with age, differences between left and right limbs, and between sexes.

Results

  • The thickness of the dorsal cortical bone (the surface area of the bone facing the rear of the horse) showed a positive linear relationship with the age of the foals. This suggests that as the foals age, the dorsal cortical bone becomes thicker.
  • The width of the medullary cavity did not change with age.
  • The relative thickness comparison, between the dorsal cortical bone and the medullary cavity, as well as with the palmar cortical bone (the surface area of the bone facing the front of the horse), also saw an increase as the foals grew older.
  • The dorsal cortical bone thickness was positively associated increases in MC3 length – as the bone grew longer, the dorsal cortical bone continued to get thicker.

Conclusion

The study concluded that measurements of the mid-section of the MC3 bone can be used to monitor musculoskeletal growth in foals and identify those at an increased risk of shin soreness. This can assist in the implementation of appropriate training regimes, which cater to the musculoskeletal maturity of individual horses, potentially reducing the risk of shin soreness. However, the results should be interpreted with caution due to limited number of foals with similar genetic background being used in the study. Future studies should include a larger and more diverse sample of foals to increase the reliability of the conclusions.

Cite This Article

APA
Son JK, De Paz P, Kim J, Sanaei R, Ryu S, Bailey S, Davies HMS. (2025). The change in third metacarpal mid-diaphyseal radiographic dimensions in Thoroughbred foals through growth. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14484

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Son, Jung K
  • Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
De Paz, Patroys
  • Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.
Kim, Jihyun
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
Sanaei, Reza
  • Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
Ryu, Seungho
  • School of Equine Science and Horticulture, Cheju Halla University, Cheju, South Korea.
Bailey, Simon
  • Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
Davies, Helen M S
  • Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.

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