Clydesdale horses would benefit from their owners knowing more about the likely causes of bog spavin, the chronic fluid distension of the tarsocrural (hock) joint.
A survey of Clydesdale owners in the USA and the UK found that most knew of the condition, but were often unaware of its possible significance.
Of the 93 5 horses included in the survey, 10% were reported to show signs of bog spavin. Over half of the affected animals first showed signs of bog spavin before they reached one year of age. This is significant as it coincides with the time when osteochondrosis tends to occur.
Osteochon drosis, a disorder of bone development which results in damage to the articular cartilage, is the most common cause of long term joint swelling in young horses showing little or no lameness. If untreated, the condition may eventually result in osteoarthritis and persistent lameness.
The owners' approach to the condition differed on opposite sides of the Atlantic. In the UK, nearly half of the affected horses were not investigated at all, whereas in the USA over 75% received some investigation – ranging from physical examination by the owner, yard manager or veterinarian, to more specialised techniques.
Radiographic examination was performed on 37.7% of affected horses in the USA , but on just 12.2% in the UK.
Some of the cases of bog spavin identified in the survey could be due to undetected osteochondrosis. The report's authors suggest that a radiographic survey of Clydesdale horses is warranted to establish the true extent of osteochondrosis of the hock joint.
They argue that if more owners knew about the possible causes of bog spavin they might be more likely to investigate and thus identify those horses with osteochondrosis. Arthroscopic surgery could then be offered to appropriate cases to reduce the risk of osteoarthritis.
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