Etiopathogenesis of the diseases of the forelimbs distal parts in jumping horses

Abstract

Horse jumping is a spectacular and popular equestrian sport, but very traumatic. Even a well-trained horse can damage the tendonligamentous apparatus, muscles, joints and even the bones. Knowledges of the etiopathogenesis of the injuries of the horse's distal parts of limbs, caused by the biomechanics of jumping, will reduce the traumatism and speed up the diagnosis. In this regard, it is important to clarify the diversity and frequency of lesions of various structures of the distal parts of the forelimbs in jumping horses, which was the purpose of our study. To achieve this goal, the most significant orthopedic diseases of the distal aspects of forelimbs in jumping horses were identified. The technical issues that predispose the occurrence of pathological processes in the distal aspects of forelimbs were considered.

During the research we examined 50 show jumping horses of various sex, age and breed groups. According to the results of Xray, 60% of the animals had various diseases of the bones. Ultrasonography examination revealed lesions of the superficial digital flexor tendon in 62% of the cases (31 horses out of 50). 22 horses (44%) of the horses had the pathology of the suspensory ligament. 7 horses (14%) had lesions of the deep digital flexor tendon.

Knowledge and further study of the biomechanics of jumping will make it possible to create a set of special exercises that contribute to the training and development of the flexor tendons, strengthening the fetlock ligaments and the muscular process, aimed at reducing the traumatism. The development of a diagnostic algorithm that takes into account the features of trauma of the distal aspects of the forelimbs in jumping horses allows to speed up the process of making the final diagnosis.