Broster C E, Burn C C, Barr A R S, Whay H R
Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK.
Equine Vet J. 2009 May;41(5):474-81. doi: 10.2746/042516409x373907.
Lameness is highly prevalent in working horses, but published reports on the associated pathological abnormalities are lacking. With over 42 million horses in developing countries and the majority used for work, lameness has major welfare implications.
To describe the range and prevalence of pathological abnormalities associated with lameness in working horses.
A standard lameness assessment was adapted for field use in working equids. Data on pathological abnormalities and pain responses in the feet, limbs and spine were collected through observation, palpation, manipulations and gait assessment in working horses from India (n = 110) and Pakistan (n = 117). Lameness at the walk was scored on a scale of 0-4 (sound-nonweightbearing).
All horses examined were lame. Overall, 98% showed a gait abnormality in all 4 limbs and 87% had at least one limb scoring 3 or 4 on the lameness scale. Multiple pathological abnormalities within each limb were associated with lameness, with similar results in both countries. Chronic foot pathology was seen in every horse; 94% horses showed signs of chronic joint disease; 83% had digital flexor tendonitis in at least one limb. Lameness and pathological abnormalities were associated with specific pain responses in the feet, limbs and spine.
The extremely high prevalence of multilimb lameness and its association with pain is of great concern. The multiple pathological abnormalities present in working horses makes lameness complex to address.
The results of this detailed study of lameness should facilitate the identification of risk factors and the implementation of interventions to reduce the prevalence of lameness in working equids.
跛行在役用马中极为普遍，但关于相关病理异常的公开报告却很匮乏。在发展中国家，马的数量超过4200万，且大多数用于劳作，跛行对马的福利有着重大影响。
描述役用马中与跛行相关的病理异常的范围和患病率。
对标准跛行评估方法进行调整，以便在役用马的实际场景中使用。通过观察、触诊、手法检查和步态评估，收集了来自印度（n = 110）和巴基斯坦（n = 117）的役用马的足部、四肢和脊柱的病理异常及疼痛反应数据。行走时的跛行程度按0 - 4分进行评分（正常 - 非负重）。
所有接受检查的马均有跛行。总体而言，98%的马在所有4条肢体上都表现出步态异常，87%的马至少有一条肢体在跛行评分中达到3分或4分。每条肢体的多种病理异常都与跛行有关，两国的结果相似。每匹马都存在慢性足部病变；94%的马有慢性关节疾病的迹象；83%的马至少有一条肢体患有指屈肌腱炎。跛行和病理异常与足部、四肢和脊柱的特定疼痛反应相关。
多肢跛行的极高患病率及其与疼痛的关联令人高度担忧。役用马中存在的多种病理异常使得跛行问题难以解决。
这项关于跛行的详细研究结果应有助于识别风险因素，并实施干预措施以降低役用马的跛行患病率。
