Stifle Abnormalities in Young Thoroughbreds

Early diagnosis could allow vets to implement management strategies, such as restricted exercise, that promote healing.
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Thoroughbreds intended for sale or racing are under great radiographic scrutiny. Veterinarians typically X ray their joints as weanlings, yearlings, and anytime they’re entered in a sale.

“A horse sold as weanling, yearling, and 2-year-old in training would likely be radiographed at least four times,” in his first two years of life, said Elizabeth Santschi, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, professor of equine surgery at Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, in Manhattan.

This wealth of images has provided researchers with the ability to track radiographic abnormalities (RAs) and their progress in this population of young horses over time. One common finding are abnormalities of the stifle’s medial femoral condyle (MFC).

Santschi recently studied these abnormalities and their prevalence in young Thoroughbreds and presented her findings at the 2016 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 3-7, in Orlando, Florida

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Alexandra Beckstett, a native of Houston, Texas, is a lifelong horse owner who has shown successfully on the national hunter/jumper circuit and dabbled in hunter breeding. After graduating from Duke University, she joined Blood-Horse Publications as assistant editor of its book division, Eclipse Press, before joining The Horse. She was the managing editor of The Horse for nearly 14 years and is now editorial director of EquiManagement and My New Horse, sister publications of The Horse.

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