Prevalence of Osseous Fragments in Distal and Proximal Interphalangeal, Metacarpo‐ and Metatarsophalangeal and Tarsocrural Joints of Hanoverian Warmblood Horses

Abstract

The prevalence of osseous fragments in different limb joints was analysed in 3749 young Warmblood riding horses, which were pre-selected for sale at auction from 1991 to 1998 by the Association of Hanoverian Warmblood Breeders (Verband hannoverscher Warmblutzüchter e.V.) in Verden (Aller), Germany. The evaluation of these horses was based on a standardized radiological examination, including the distal interphalangeal (DIJ), the proximal interphalangeal (PIJ), the metacarpo- and metatarsophalangeal (MC/MTJ) and the tarsocrural joints (TCJ). In 32% of all horses at least one osseous fragment was found on these radiographs. TCJ were affected in 9.6% of the horses and MC/MTJ in 20.7%. The percentage of horses affected in the MTJ was significantly higher (13.7%) than that of horses affected in the MCJ (9.5%). The prevalences of osseous fragments were considerably lower in DIJ (4.5%) and PIJ (0.9%). Osseous fragments only occurred either in DIJ or PIJ or MC/MTJ or TCJ in 87% of the affected horses. Depending on the joint type, osseous fragments were found in analogous joints in the front and the hind limbs in up to 26% of the affected horses, whilst bilateral affection occurred in between 10% and 46% of the horses. Distribution of osseous fragments in the limb joints investigated here did not differ significantly between male and female horses. There was a significant increase in the percentage of horses with osseous fragments in MC/MTJ during the study period. The results of this study indicate the need to act against the high prevalences of osseous fragments in the limb joints of young Warmblood riding horses.

Genome-wide association studies for osteochondrosis in French Trotter horses1

“…The prevalence of OG in warmblood, coldblood, thoroughbred, and trotter horses ranges from 10 to 25% across different breeds (Gr0ndahl and Dolvik, 1993;Philipsson et al, 1993;Stock et al, 2005b;van Grevenhof et al, 2009). Heritability estimates for OG fall within the ranges h^ = 0.17 to 0.52 in trotters (Gr0ndahl and Dolvik, 1993;Philipsson et al, 1993) and h= 0 to 0.37 in warmbloods (Schober et al, 2003;Stock et al, 2005a;Stock and Distl, 2006b).…”

Developmental orthopedic disease

“…The incidence of osteochondrosis in the growing foal can be high, with reported values, depending on the breed and study parameters, of between 10-50% (Stock et al 2005, van Weeren 2006, Wittwer et al 2006. The incidence of osteochondrosis in the growing foal can be high, with reported values, depending on the breed and study parameters, of between 10-50% (Stock et al 2005, van Weeren 2006, Wittwer et al 2006.…”

Refinement of a quantitative gene locus on equine chromosome 16 responsible for osteochondrosis in Hanoverian warmblood horses

“…Osteochondrosis (OC) belongs to those developmental disorders of the locomotory system frequently detected radiographically in young horses (Arnan and Hertsch, 2005;Stock et al, 2005a;Wittwer et al, 2006). Articulations mainly affected are fetlock, hock and stifle joints.…”

“…Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) is an advanced stage of OC, which is characterized by the presence of osteochondral fragments (joint mice, chips and corpora libera). Available epidemiological data indicate that OC is present in warmblood, coldblood, thoroughbred and trotter horse populations between 10% and 25% across a range of different breeds (Grøndahl and Dolvik, 1993;Philipsson et al, 1993;KWPN, 1994;Stock et al, 2005a;Wittwer et al, 2006). Specific causes are still unknown but the origin of OC is multifactorial, including genetic factors, growth rate, body size, nutrition, mineral imbalance, endocrinological dysfunction and biomechanical trauma (Jeffcott, 1991;Van Weeren, 2005).…”