Abstract:Summary
Of 462 Finnhorses (age 1–20 years) evaluated and graded (scale 0–5) radiographically for ossification of the collateral cartilages of the 3rd phalanx of the front feet, 22.9% were totally free from sidebones (Grade 0), and 49.1% had minimal or mild ossification (Grade 1 or 2) at the base of 1 or more of the cartilages. Moderate ossification (Grade 3) was present in 10.2% of the horses, whereas ossification was advanced (Grade 4) or extensive (Grade 5) in 17.8%. In most horses >1 cartilage was affected … Show more
“…Unless fractured, OUC has been questioned as an obvious cause of lameness in several studies [27,28], but it has been suggested by Ruohoniemi et al [8] that it may have an impact on gait at high speed. When grouped together, horses with OUC of grade 1 and 2, according to the NS, had a tendency for more frequent records of irregular trot than horses without OUC or OUC of grade 3 ( P = 0.08).…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…For 95% of the horses, conventional film and a cassette with intensifying screens were used, while digital radiography was used for the remaining 5%. All radiographs were blind-coded and evaluated twice by the same person (OW) using both the scale of Ruohoniemi et al [5] and a new scale (NS) in which the navicular bone and the palmar level of the distal interphalangeal joint were excluded as references (Figure 1). The cartilage with the highest grade of ossification, including both the left and right front feet, determined the total score for an individual horse.Figure 1
OUC grading systems.…”
Section: Methodsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…The cartilage with the highest grade of ossification, including both the left and right front feet, determined the total score for an individual horse.Figure 1
OUC grading systems. Grading of ossification according to the Ruohoniemi et al [5] scale and a new scale developed in this study. Left side shows moderate ossification with separate center of ossification and the dotted line is the navicular bone.…”
Section: Methodsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…For other breeds too, there are only vague indications that OUC, if not fractured [7], can cause lameness. In a study of 21 Finnhorses, Ruohoniemi et al [8] suggested that the performance of four of the horses might have been affected by OUC. Dyson and Nagy [9] reported significant association between extensively ossified cartilages of the foot and collateral ligament and distal phalanx injury.…”
BackgroundOssification of the ungular cartilages (OUC) in the foot of horses has been studied for more than 100 years. There is a high heritability of this condition but its clinical relevance has remained questionable. Nevertheless, modern equine orthopedic literature ranks OUC as one of top 10 causes of lameness in cold-blooded trotters and stallions of these breeds are excluded from breeding if they have more than mild levels of side bones. Cold-blooded trotters have been used for racing for many decades and official sports data have been available since 1923. A decreased performance is often the only obvious clinical sign noticed by trainers and owners motivating them to seek professional help from veterinarians and farriers. By comparing various performance parameters in Swedish-Norwegian cold-blooded trotters without and with different grades of OUC, we aimed to determine the clinical relevance of ossified hoof cartilages in a population of high-performance horses.Front hooves from 649 Swedish-Norwegian cold-blooded trotters were evaluated radiologically regarding OUC. Breeding index and official sports data originating from strict protocols kept by groups of officials in trotting associations was used for comparison of performance of these horses that together had competed in more than 23,000 races between 1973 and 2009. Generalized linear mixed models were used for the statistical analyses. The response variable was modeled using ordinal logistic models with a multinomial distribution and a cumulative logit link function. The horse was used as a random factor.ResultsSignificant effects of gender on performance were demonstrated, but no correlations were found between different positions nor grades of ossified ungular cartilage and number of starts, running pace, race winnings, number of races completed in a regular gait.ConclusionsOssification of the ungular cartilages does not cause decreased performance in cold-blooded trotters and is therefore most likely not a cause of clinical or subclinical lameness in this breed. Results from this study can assist equine professionals in evaluating and interpreting the clinical relevance of radiological findings on ossified hoof cartilage among heavy and high-performing horses.
“…Unless fractured, OUC has been questioned as an obvious cause of lameness in several studies [27,28], but it has been suggested by Ruohoniemi et al [8] that it may have an impact on gait at high speed. When grouped together, horses with OUC of grade 1 and 2, according to the NS, had a tendency for more frequent records of irregular trot than horses without OUC or OUC of grade 3 ( P = 0.08).…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…For 95% of the horses, conventional film and a cassette with intensifying screens were used, while digital radiography was used for the remaining 5%. All radiographs were blind-coded and evaluated twice by the same person (OW) using both the scale of Ruohoniemi et al [5] and a new scale (NS) in which the navicular bone and the palmar level of the distal interphalangeal joint were excluded as references (Figure 1). The cartilage with the highest grade of ossification, including both the left and right front feet, determined the total score for an individual horse.Figure 1
OUC grading systems.…”
Section: Methodsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…The cartilage with the highest grade of ossification, including both the left and right front feet, determined the total score for an individual horse.Figure 1
OUC grading systems. Grading of ossification according to the Ruohoniemi et al [5] scale and a new scale developed in this study. Left side shows moderate ossification with separate center of ossification and the dotted line is the navicular bone.…”
Section: Methodsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…For other breeds too, there are only vague indications that OUC, if not fractured [7], can cause lameness. In a study of 21 Finnhorses, Ruohoniemi et al [8] suggested that the performance of four of the horses might have been affected by OUC. Dyson and Nagy [9] reported significant association between extensively ossified cartilages of the foot and collateral ligament and distal phalanx injury.…”
BackgroundOssification of the ungular cartilages (OUC) in the foot of horses has been studied for more than 100 years. There is a high heritability of this condition but its clinical relevance has remained questionable. Nevertheless, modern equine orthopedic literature ranks OUC as one of top 10 causes of lameness in cold-blooded trotters and stallions of these breeds are excluded from breeding if they have more than mild levels of side bones. Cold-blooded trotters have been used for racing for many decades and official sports data have been available since 1923. A decreased performance is often the only obvious clinical sign noticed by trainers and owners motivating them to seek professional help from veterinarians and farriers. By comparing various performance parameters in Swedish-Norwegian cold-blooded trotters without and with different grades of OUC, we aimed to determine the clinical relevance of ossified hoof cartilages in a population of high-performance horses.Front hooves from 649 Swedish-Norwegian cold-blooded trotters were evaluated radiologically regarding OUC. Breeding index and official sports data originating from strict protocols kept by groups of officials in trotting associations was used for comparison of performance of these horses that together had competed in more than 23,000 races between 1973 and 2009. Generalized linear mixed models were used for the statistical analyses. The response variable was modeled using ordinal logistic models with a multinomial distribution and a cumulative logit link function. The horse was used as a random factor.ResultsSignificant effects of gender on performance were demonstrated, but no correlations were found between different positions nor grades of ossified ungular cartilage and number of starts, running pace, race winnings, number of races completed in a regular gait.ConclusionsOssification of the ungular cartilages does not cause decreased performance in cold-blooded trotters and is therefore most likely not a cause of clinical or subclinical lameness in this breed. Results from this study can assist equine professionals in evaluating and interpreting the clinical relevance of radiological findings on ossified hoof cartilage among heavy and high-performing horses.
“…Different evaluation scales have been used in radiological studies of OUC in Ardenner horses [15], Finnhorses [8], Warmbloods [16] and Brazilian Showjumpers [7], but the long term impact of extensive ossification on performance has been poorly evaluated. Official Swedish statutes on horse breeding exclude stallions of all breeds if OUC is severe or present early in life [17].…”
BackgroundIt has not yet been shown that ossification of ungular cartilages (OUC) is a pathological condition. Beside heredity, factors such as sex, age, repeated concussion, local trauma, hoof and body size have been suggested as contributing factors for OUC development. By comparing radiographs of front hooves from cold-blooded trotters with different age we wanted to evaluate when development of OUC in cold-blooded trotters occurs and if and when it stabilizes in relation to age and workload. Diagnosis and grading of OUC were based on radiological field examinations of 649 Swedish and Norwegian cold-blooded trotters’ front hooves. A hundred and forty-seven of the horses were re-examined 3-13 years (mean age 9, median 8 years) after the first occasion. All radiographs were evaluated blind, using two different grading systems for OUC. Work load, in form of number of races completed, and body size score were collected from official data. Four statistical ordinal regression models were used, compared and evaluated.ResultsWe identified a breakpoint at 2.8 ± 0.38 years of age when ossification ends and proposed a simpler grading system with more consistent results. There was no significant correlation between body size and grade of OUC. Comparison of different statistical methods for evaluation of ordinal data revealed a piecewise linear regression model as most suitable.ConclusionsIndividuals with OUC developed this condition during the stage of life when their hooves develop in size. Results from this study can assist equine practitioners when examining and for understanding this condition in their clinical work and is also beneficial for the Scandinavian equine industry when devising breeding programs.
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