20
46TH
ANNUAL
CONGRESS
OF
THE
SAEVA
SKUKUZA
16-‐20
FEBRUARY
2014
Treatment:
To date, no definitive study on the correct management of POD has been published.
A lower grade of POD was found during post mortem examination in horses rested
for greater than 16 weeks. This effect is more marked in the lower grade lesions,
suggesting that Grade 1 lesions were better able to heal as opposed to Grade 2 and
3 lesions. This emphasizes the fact that early recognition of these lesions is likely to
be crucial. Clinically, horses with fetlock disease suspected to have POD, respond to
systemic NSAID’s and intra-articular medication of the fetlock joints. However, if
exercise is continued so will the strain and overload on the subchondral bone. This
is likely to cause progression of bone pathology and ultimately result in erosive
lesions that fail to respond to any form of treatment. It has been demonstrated that
an extended period of free-choice exercise has an excellent prognosis for return to
racing success in horses with subchondral bone pain with limited radiographic fetlock
abnormalities. Severe lesions with subchondral bone collapse and overlying cartilage
ulceration have poor responses to treatment.
Discussion:
POD has been shown to be a result of racing and training exposures. The risk
factors associated with POD are increased number of races in a lifetime, increased
training gallops in the most recent season and horses that have raced for more than
one season. Horses that had raced before import to Hong Kong were at an
increased risk of developing POD. It was thought that POD would be more severe
in horses that were trained earlier in life however, it was found that age at first race
or first track work were not significant.
Fetlock disease is one of the most important reasons for retirement of racehorses in
Hong Kong and POD is the major contributor to this syndrome. Further studies are
required to confirm whether this is a progressive disease (grade 1 can progress to
grade 2 and then 3) and to determine if these lesions can be reversed and at what
stage. To answer these questions we need simpler ways of detecting early POD and
an optimal rehabilitation program that will allow the lesions to heal without
disrupting the training program to a great degree. Thresholds of training need to be
identified which include the intensity of work and/or the duration of training leading
to the development of lesions. Our ultimate aim is to reduce the risk and severity of
this disease, which will enable trainers to optimise a horse’s career.
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