10
46TH
ANNUAL
CONGRESS
OF
THE
SAEVA
SKUKUZA
16-‐20
FEBRUARY
2014
Prevalence of radiographic changes
in South African Thoroughbred
racehorses at the yearling sales,
2008-2010.
Smit Y1, Rubio-Martinez L2, and Marais HJ*1
1
Section Equine Surgery, Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science,
University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort 0110, 2Equine division, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester
High Road, CH64 7TE, Neston, United Kingdom.
Radiographic examination of Thoroughbred racehorses at the time of the yearling
sales is common practice in South Africa. Although it is generally accepted that
yearlings will have some radiographic changes, there is only one study that estimated
the prevalence of these changes in Thoroughbred racehorse yearlings in South
Africa. Furniss et al reported on the occurrence of radiographic abnormalities over
a one-year period (Furniss 2011). Furniss et al. study differs from other studies in
that there was a higher prevalence of palmar metacarpophalangeal and plantar
metatarsophalangeal osteochondral fragments and a lower prevalence of pedal
osteitis, dorsal osteochondral fragmentation of the metatarsophalangeal joint, distal
metacarpal saggital ridge changes, ulnar carpal bone lucencies, carpal osteophytes,
distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joint changes, tarsal osteochondrosis lesions
and stifle osteochondrosis lesions was found.
Our objective was to describe the prevalence and distribution of radiographic
changes in the metacarpophalangeal joint, metatarsophalangeal joint, carpi, tarsi, stifle
and fore digits of racing Thoroughbred yearlings in South Africa when examined as
part of a pre-purchase examination during the Annual National Yearling Sales
extending from 2008 through 2010.
Thoroughbred racehorse yearlings were subjected to radiographic evaluation
including the digit (n= 566), metacarpophalangeal joint (n=566), metatarsophalangeal
joint (n= 566), carpi (n= 566), tarsi (n= 566) and stifle (n=566). The radiographic
changes were categorised by location and type of change present for each series.
In South African Thoroughbred racehorse yearlings, radiographic changes most
commonly involved the metacarpo- and metatarsophalangeal joints, carpi and tarsi.
This study may assist practitioners to identify joints where the most prevalent
changes are likely to occur. A follow-up study will be done to compare these
changes to racing performance.
The digit:
Where informal comparisons with previously published data can be made, similar
changes of pedal osteitis were recorded in this study, with a total percentage of
6.7%.
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