Search Results (2)

There is limited information about the orthopaedic health of dressage horses. This study aimed to document the orthopaedic status, lesion distribution, and evolution of injuries in 70 horses undergoing a minimum of five in-depth orthopaedic assessments at six-months’ intervals. Warmblood (70.0%) and Iberian (24.3%) breeds predominated. The median lameness grade at initial examination was 2/5 (interquartile range 2,2; range 0,3). Hypermetria (42.9%) or hypermetria and weakness (12.9%) were observed at the initial examination and did not change over time. Metacarpophalangeal/metatarsophalangeal joint region injuries (osteoarthritis or suspensory branch injury), 58.6%, predominated at the initial examination; there was a high proportion of persistent or recurrent injuries (90%). Metacarpal/metatarsal region pain (predominantly suspensory desmitis) had a high prevalence at all examinations (24.3–41.4%), and a high proportion of recurrent injury (90%). There was an increase in spinal pain comparing the initial and final examinations (McNemar’s p < 0.001); 21.4% of horses with thoracic region pain subsequently developed lumbosacroiliac region pain. Twenty-six (37.1%) increased work level; nineteen (27.1%) remained at the same level, with 37% competing at Intermediate I or II, under 25 international, or Grand Prix at the final examination, compared with 3% at the initial examination. Serial monitoring and targeted treatment may facilitate horses reaching athletic potential. Full article

The Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE) was developed to facilitate the recognition of musculoskeletal pain. The aim of this study was to document changes in RHpE scores before and after diagnostic anaesthesia was performed to alleviate pain ± when the saddle was changed. One hundred and fifty horses underwent ridden exercise as part of an investigation of poor performance. The RHpE was applied before and after the interventions. Fifty-two (34.7%) horses exhibited a bilaterally symmetrical short step length and/or restricted hindlimb impulsion and engagement. Fifty-three (35.3%) horses had episodic lameness; only forty-five (30.0%) horses were continuously lame. The median maximum lameness grade when ridden was 2/8 (interquartile range [IQR]: 0–3; range: 0–4). Fifty-six (37.3%) horses had an ill-fitting saddle, which was considered likely to influence performance. The median RHpE scores after the interventions (2/24 [IQR: 1–3, range: 0–12]) were significantly lower than before the interventions (9/24 [IQR: 8–11, range: 2–15]) (Wilcoxon signed-rank z = 10.6, p < 0.001). There was no correlation between the RHpE score and maximum lameness grade before diagnostic anaesthesia (Spearman’s rho = 0.09, p = 0.262). It was concluded that the absence of overt lameness does not preclude primary musculoskeletal pain. Gait quality and performance can be improved by diagnostic anaesthesia, with substantial reductions in RHpE scores. Full article