Distal forelimb radiographic bone morphology in Thoroughbred foals during the first 10 months post-partum. Part 1: Carpus.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The risk of carpal injury in racehorses may be related to the morphology, yet whether carpal morphologies are set from birth or change through growth remains unclear.

Objective

To quantify carpal bone changes through growth.

Method

Twenty privately owned Thoroughbred foals born between January 2022 and May 2023 were radiographed bimonthly from birth to 10 months of age. Imprint training was used to take radiographs safely without chemical restraints. Fifteen individual and 11 relative angular carpal parameters were measured using ImageJ on dorsopalmar radiographs of the carpus at zero degrees of vertical and horizontal rotation. Associations with age (growth), sex and the differences between left and right limbs were analysed separately using a linear mixed

SUBMITTER: Son JK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11253829 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature