Skeletal bone and muscle proportionality in small- and large- framed mature horses of different muscle thickness

McCann, J.S.; Heird, J.C.; Ramsey, C. B.; Long, Robert A.

doi:10.1016/s0737-0806(88)80019-4

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…The relatively strong relationship between long bone lengths and wither height for all ages supports the theory that horses are proportional, i.e. taller horses have longer long bone lengths than shorter horses (Magnusson 1985;McCann et al 1988). The third metacarpal, third metatarsal and front and rear pastern measurements increased only by about 5-7% from weanling to age 3 years, confirming subjective opinions that the majority of longitudinal bone growth in the distal limb is completed before the yearling year.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 70%

“…Few studies are available in which the conformation of a large number of horses is characterised and growth rates examined. There have been a number of studies on limb length and wither height and a relationship demonstrated between long bone and segmental limb lengths and wither height (Heird 1971;Willoughby 1975;McCann et al 1988). The rate at which various measures of growth reach mature values in Quarter Horses is highly variable (Cunningham and Fowler 1961;Heird 1971).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Longitudinal development of equine conformation from weanling to age 3 years in the Thoroughbred

Anderson

McIlwraith

2004

Equine Veterinary Journal

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Summary Reasons for performing study: There is little information available to define conformational changes with age using an objective but practical method of recording specific body measurements. Objective: To analyse conformation objectively in a population of racing Thoroughbreds and describe the changes from weanling to age 3 years. Methods: Annual photographs were taken over 4 years and conformation measurements made from photographs using specific reference points marked on the horses. Results: Correlation analysis revealed highly significant, moderate to strong relationships between long bone lengths and wither height for all ages. All long bone lengths showed moderate to strong relationships with each other for all ages. The front and rear pastern angles were significantly correlated with the angle of the dorsal surface of the front and rear hooves, respectively, for all. Wither height, croup height and length of neck topline, neck bottomline, scapula, humerus, radius and femur increased significantly from age 0–1 year and age 1–2 years. Hoof lengths (medial and lateral, right and left) grew significantly between the ages of 0 and 1 and 1 and 2 years, but decreased in length between age 2 and 3 years. Horses became more offset in the right limb between weanling and age 3 years, but the offset ratios did not change with age on the left limb. The angle of the scapula (I), shoulder and radiometacarpus significantly increased between all age groups (became more upright). The angle of the dorsal surface of the hooves (both front and hind) decreased significantly from ages 0 to 1 and 1 to 2 years, but showed no significant difference between ages 2 and 3 years. Conclusions: A strong relationship between long bone lengths and wither height for all ages supports the theory that horses are proportional. Longitudinal bone growth in the distal limb increased only 5–7% from weanling to age 3 years and is presumably completed prior to the yearling year. Several growth measures increased from ages 0 to 1 and 1 to 2 years, but did not increase from age 2–3 years; indicating that growth rate either showed or reached a plateau at this time. Potential relevance: This study provides objective information regarding conformation and skeletal growth in the Thoroughbred which can be utilised for selection and recognition of significant conformational abnormalities.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 70%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Longitudinal development of equine conformation from weanling to age 3 years in the Thoroughbred

Anderson

McIlwraith

2004

Equine Veterinary Journal

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“…This relatively strong relationship supports the theory that horses are proportional. 24,28 Wither height, croup height, length of neck top line, neck bottom line, scapula, humerus, radius and femur significantly increased from age 0-1 and age 1-2. The third metacarpus, tibia and rear pastern only showed significant growth between the ages of 0 and 1.…”

Section: Change In Conformation With Growthmentioning

confidence: 95%

Conformation and musculoskeletal problems in the racehorse

McIlwraith

Anderson²,

Sanschi

2003

Clinical Techniques in Equine Practice

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“…Measures of muscle circumference have been used in both man (Weiss et al 2000) and horses (McMann et al 1988;Heck et al 1996) as a gross measure of increased muscle size. McMann et al (1988) performed live muscle circumference measurements and then correlated them to the weight of the muscle of the round postslaughter. They found that gaskin circumference in the live horse had the highest correlation (0.97) to actual round muscle size (McMann et al 1988).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…McMann et al (1988) performed live muscle circumference measurements and then correlated them to the weight of the muscle of the round postslaughter. They found that gaskin circumference in the live horse had the highest correlation (0.97) to actual round muscle size (McMann et al 1988). Ultrasound also provides a simple way to evaluate cross-sectional area of muscles.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of weight carrying, exercise and a myo‐anabolic supplement on growth and muscle

O'connor

Nielsen

Schott

et al. 2002

Equine Veterinary Journal

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SummaryWeight training is commonly used by human athletes to increase strength and fitness. This study was performed to examine the effect of weight-carrying and nutritional supplementation on muscle development and growth in yourn horses. This study examined the effect of weight-carrying and nutritional supplementation on muscle development and growth. Seventeen horses were divided into 3 groups: controls exercised in a free-flow exerciser, a weight group that performed the same exercise, carrying progressively increasing weight up to 45 kg, and a weight-supplement group, that also received a myo-anabolic supplement. Horses were accustomed to handling for 30 days then baseline measurements of weight, body condition score, wither height, hip height, forearm and gaskin circumferences, and crosssectional area of the longissimus dorsi were taken. Horses were stalled for 108 days then conditioned for 78 days. At the end of conditioning, all measurements were taken again. Supplemented weight-carrying horses increased their lean body tissue, as indicated by greater bodyweight (P<0.05) combined with decreased body condition score (P<0.01). Greater increases in wither height (P = 0.09) and hip height (P<0.01) were seen in weight-carrying horses, probably the result of increased muscle tone. Supplemented weightcarrying horses increased forearm (P<0.01) and gaskin circumferences (P<0.05). It is believed that weight-carrying, when combined with additional dietary protein, enabled greater muscle anabolism. Additional research into the potential additive effect of resistance training and diet are warrented.

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Skeletal bone and muscle proportionality in small- and large- framed mature horses of different muscle thickness

Cited by 4 publications

References 4 publications

Longitudinal development of equine conformation from weanling to age 3 years in the Thoroughbred

Longitudinal development of equine conformation from weanling to age 3 years in the Thoroughbred

Conformation and musculoskeletal problems in the racehorse

Effects of weight carrying, exercise and a myo‐anabolic supplement on growth and muscle

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