[Analysis of the prevalence of pastern dermatitis in German Coldblood horse breeds].

The prevalence of pastern dermatitis was investigated in 917 German Coldblood horses aged 2.5 to 26 years. Pastern dermatitis was prevalent in Black Forest Draught horses with 47.5% and in South German Draught horses with 58.5%. High prevalences were found in Mecklenburg (76.4%), Saxon-Thuringa (84.3%), Schleswig (86.0%), and Rhenisch German Coldblood (96.1%) horses. All four legs or both hind legs were affected most frequently. The most prevalent forms of pastern dermatitis were crusted and hyperkeratotic-hyperplastic. The occurrence of pastern dermatitis was dependent of age. The statistical analysis using a generalized linear model and a probit function showed the significant influence of the breed, age at examination, sex, position of the leg, interaction of breed by age at examination, and breed by position of the leg. So the analysis indicated that pastern dermatitis is a serious problem in all German Coldblood breeds investigated here.