训练起始年龄对幼年美国夸特马蹄形态和跛行的影响。

Effect of age at training initiation on hoof morphology and lameness in juvenile American Quarter Horses.

机构信息

Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.

Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA.

出版信息

Equine Vet J. 2023 Sep;55(5):765-776. doi: 10.1111/evj.13913. Epub 2023 Jan 9.

DOI:10.1111/evj.13913

PMID:36572927

原文链接:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10291006/

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Lameness, discipline, training intensity, environmental variability, and shoeing are all factors demonstrated to affect hoof loading and therefore act as adaptive stimuli to alter hoof morphology.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effect of age at training initiation on hoof morphology and lameness incidence and determine if specific hoof morphology measurements correlate with lameness in juvenile American Quarter Horses.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

METHODS

American Quarter Horses (n = 42; 29 two-year-olds, 13 three-year-olds) entering training were monitored for hoof morphology and lameness over 6 months (months 0, 2, 4, and 6). Hoof measurements (palmar/plantar angles, frog base width/length, toe length/angle, heel length/angle, heel and foot width, wall height/angle) from radiographs and photographs were recorded. Lameness was graded subjectively and objectively (Lameness locator®). Statistical analyses were performed with Fisher's exact test and repeated measures ANOVA with p < 0.05.

RESULTS

25/42 horses developed subclinical lameness (16/42 forelimb, 19/42 hindlimb), with 3-year-olds developing lameness more frequently compared to 2-year-olds overall (p = 0.04; 84.6 vs. 48.3%) and in forelimbs (p = 0.05; 61.5% vs. 27.6%); no difference was noted between 2- versus 3-year-olds in hindlimbs (p = 0.2; 61.5% vs. 37.9%). In lame versus sound forelimbs, 3-year-olds had decreased foot width (p = 0.03; 11.48 cm [CI 10.68-12.28] vs. 12.21 cm [CI 11.99-12.42]), decreased toe length (p = 0.03; 6.02 cm [CI 5.69-6.36] vs. 6.45 cm [CI 6.32-6.58]), shorter lateral wall height (p = 0.03; 4.64 cm [CI 4.31-4.96] vs. 5.11 cm [CI 5.03-5.2]), and shorter medial wall height (p = 0.02; 4.58 cm [CI 4.06-5.10] vs. 5.15 cm [CI 4.99-5.30]). In lame versus sound hindlimbs, horses overall (p = 0.05; 3.74, CI 3.53-3.96 vs. 3.55, CI 3.48-3.61) and 3-year-olds had longer heels p = 0.01; 3.90 cm (CI 3.5-4.3) vs. 3.50 cm (CI 3.39-3.61).

MAIN LIMITATIONS

Small sample size, lack of control group not entering training.

CONCLUSIONS

Three-year-old American Quarter Horses entering training were more likely to develop forelimb lameness than 2-year-olds. This subclinical lameness was associated with specific hoof morphology characteristics (decreased foot width, toe length, heel length, and lateral/medial wall height; greater toe angle).

摘要

背景

跛行、训练强度、环境变化、蹄铁和训练起始年龄等因素都会影响马蹄的受力情况，从而成为改变马蹄形态的适应刺激。

目的

评估起始训练年龄对马蹄形态和跛行发生率的影响，并确定青少年美国夸特马是否存在特定的马蹄形态测量与跛行相关。

研究设计

前瞻性队列研究。

方法

进入训练的美国夸特马（n=42；29 匹两岁马，13 匹三岁马）在 6 个月（0、2、4 和 6 个月）期间监测马蹄形态和跛行情况。通过 X 光片和照片记录马蹄测量值（掌跖角、跗骨基宽/长、蹄长/角、跟长/角、跟和蹄宽、蹄壁高/角）。跛行程度采用主观和客观（跛行定位器®）进行分级。采用 Fisher 确切检验和重复测量方差分析进行统计学分析，p<0.05。

结果

42 匹马中有 25 匹（16 匹前肢，19 匹后肢）出现亚临床跛行，3 岁马比 2 岁马更易出现跛行（总体跛行率：p=0.04；84.6%比 48.3%；前肢跛行率：p=0.05；61.5%比 27.6%）；但 2 岁马和 3 岁马后肢跛行率无差异（p=0.2；61.5%比 37.9%）。与正常肢相比，跛行的前肢马的蹄宽减小（p=0.03；11.48 cm [95%置信区间 10.68-12.28] 比 12.21 cm [11.99-12.42]），蹄长缩短（p=0.03；6.02 cm [95%置信区间 5.69-6.36] 比 6.45 cm [6.32-6.58]），外侧蹄壁高度降低（p=0.03；4.64 cm [95%置信区间 4.31-4.96] 比 5.11 cm [5.03-5.2]），内侧蹄壁高度降低（p=0.02；4.58 cm [95%置信区间 4.06-5.10] 比 5.15 cm [4.99-5.30]）。与正常肢相比，所有马（p=0.05；3.74，95%置信区间 3.53-3.96 比 3.55，95%置信区间 3.48-3.61）和 3 岁马（p=0.01；3.90 cm [95%置信区间 3.5-4.3] 比 3.50 cm [95%置信区间 3.39-3.61]）的后肢跟骨更长。