Influence of Exercise, Age, Body weight, and Growth on the Development of Tarsal Osteoarthritis in Young Mangalarga Marchador Horses

Abstract

In this study, the effect of early exercise, age, body weight (BW), and growth on the articular cartilage and subchondral bones of the tarsocrural joints was evaluated in 40 young Mangalarga Marchador horses allowed free choice exercise in pasture. Twenty of the horses had additional controlled exercise 3 days per week from a mean age of 30 ± 20 days until 36 months. The training program consisted of an increasing number of 15-minute gallop sprints in an oval paddock with a concrete floor covered by a thick layer of sand. BW, withers height (WH), and neck circumference were measured and body condition scores, cresty neck scores, and obesity index were rated. For each tarsus and foal, 5 standard radiographic projections were evaluated. All evaluations were performed at time point 1 (18 months of age) and time point 2 (36 months of age). Radiographic changes suggestive of tarsal osteoarthritis were observed in two male foals of the trained group at time point 2 (10% of 20). No horses from the untrained group developed OA. Training of the foals did not result in alterations of the morphometric parameters evaluated. However, significant differences were found between time point 1 and 2 in trained and untrained animals. At time point 2, the animals presented greater weights and WHs than at time point 1. We conclude that specific levels of physical activity during initial development do not increase the prevalence of osteoarthritic injury in Mangalarga Marchador foals.