The hock as a potential site for non-invasive bone measurement.

This study examined the hock of horses as a potential site for non-invasive bone measurement techniques. The results revealed that photon absorptiometry was the most accurate and reproducible technique despite some variation in bone mineral content and density, suggesting that this might be a viable method but further modifications might be necessary for use in standing horses.

Objective and Sampling

• The research was conducted on the calcaneus (heel bone) of 5 adult horses and 10 foals, aiming to examine its potential to yield accurate bone measurements using various non-invasive methods.

Methods Employed and Findings

• The researchers used different techniques for bone assessment: radiographic photodensitometry, single photon absorptiometry, transmission ultrasound velocity, and chemical analysis.
• These techniques were employed to gather data about trabecular bone content, and levels of ash, calcium, and phosphorus in the bones.
• It was observed that ultrasound velocity was not sufficiently sensitive nor accurate for bone quality assessment. Additionally, radiographic photodensitometry was found to have limited value.
• However, photon absorptiometry was both accurate and reproducible, indicating it to be the most promising of the techniques tested, despite some observed variation in bone mineral content and bone mineral density.

Further Application and Conclusions

• Bone mineral content was estimated in a second series on fibular tarsal bones from 23 horses of different ages, ranging from less than six months to 16 years.
• Photon absorptiometry technique was also applied successfully to the hocks of four hind limbs taken from post-mortem samples, and on two live horses under general anaesthesia.
• The research concluded that, although the calcaneus was a feasible site for photon absorptiometry, the equipment currently in use would require significant modifications to efficiently and effectively measure bone in standing horses.