Morphometric parameters, metabolic profile and musculoskeletal alterations in Criollo horses competing in the morphology trial.
Authors: Mousquer Mariana A, Paz Cahuê F R, Rafael Leandro A, Wendt Camila G, Curcio Bruna R, Souza Rafaela P de, Santos Isadora P O Dos, da Silva Rafaela B, Müller Vitória, Nogueira Carlos Eduardo W
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary Criollo horses competing in morphological trials frequently present with excessive body condition, creating significant concerns about long-term musculoskeletal health. This Brazilian research examined 55 horses (30 mares, 25 stallions) using morphometric assessment, metabolic profiling (measuring lipid panels, leptin and adiponectin levels), radiographic hoof analysis and tarsal joint imaging to establish relationships between obesity markers and structural pathology. The cohort demonstrated near-universal overweight status (BCS ≥7), with distal phalanx descent and lamellar zone distance both showing positive correlations to body fat percentage and tailhead adiposity; notably, hoof angle decreased with increased neck fat. Perhaps most striking, all 48 horses radiographed displayed tarsal degenerative changes, with mares showing significantly higher lesion scores than stallions despite lower body weight—suggesting sex-related differences in joint vulnerability. These findings have immediate relevance for equine professionals advising Criollo owners and breeders: the clear biomechanical consequences of excessive condition (altered distal limb architecture predisposing to lamellar failure) combined with ubiquitous tarsal pathology indicate that morphological selection criteria prioritising heavier frames may be inadvertently selecting for animals at higher risk of both acute laminitis and chronic degenerative joint disease.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Criollo horses in morphological events represent a high-risk population for laminitis development due to excessive body condition and associated hoof changes; farriers should monitor distal phalanx descent and hoof angle closely in this population
- •Universal presence of tarsal joint degeneration in this cohort suggests that intensive management promoting early adiposity in young/competing horses may predispose to early-onset osteoarthritis
- •Body fat management is critical not only for metabolic health but also for preventing musculoskeletal complications; nutrition and conditioning protocols should prioritize weight control in Criollo breeding/showing programs
Key Findings
- •High prevalence of overweight horses (BCS ≥7) observed in Criollo morphological trials
- •All 48 horses evaluated had tarsal radiographic lesions, with females showing significantly higher lesion scores than males (p=0.005)
- •Distal phalanx descent and distal lamellar zone distance correlated positively with body fat percentage and tailhead fat (r=0.31-0.34, P<0.01)
- •Hoof angle correlated negatively with neck fat (r=-0.41, P=0.02), indicating obesity-related hoof biomechanical changes