Hovbroskförbening hos svenska ardennerhästen :

Sammanfattning: Ossification of the collateral cartilages of the distal phalanx has been studied primarily in cold blooded horses. The clinical relevance of this condition is unknown. Despite this fact, since 1939, all Swedish Ardenner stallions have had to be classified as being free from this ossification to be approved for breeding. Initially, palpation was used as a diagnostic method, but since 1982 radiology has been the only method used. The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of 68 years of breeding program. Dorsopalmar radiographs were taken of the front feet of 58 Ardenners (30 mares, 8 geldings and 20 stallions) and the ossification of the collateral cartilages was evaluated and graded according to three different scales; - Ruohoniemi (grade 0-5), - Swedish University of Agricultural Science (grade 0-3), - and a new scale (grade 0-3), developed for this study. The amount of ossification was also studied with reference to sex, age, body size, cannon bone circumference and hoof conformation. The prevalence of ossification in the studied population was approximately 80 %. Moderate to mild ossification was present in 69 % of the horses. No statistical significant correlations were observed between the level of ossification and any of the other observed parameters. Despite the systematic breeding program that has been in place since 1939, there is no evidence of decreased prevalence of ossification of the collateral cartilages of the distal phalanx in the Swedish Ardenner horse breed.