Daria Debald

and 6 more

Background: Radiographic surveys in Thoroughbred (TB) yearlings occasionally reveal the presence of carpal osteochondral fragments (COF). While COF impair sales, their impact on future racing performance has been minimally investigated. Objective: to assess the impact of COF on TB yearling sales and racing performance, and whether these are improved by arthroscopic removal. We hypothesized that surgical removal of COF improves TB yearling sales and racing performance. Study Design: Retrospective study of clinical, sales and racing records of a TB population. Methods: Using clinical records from years 2015-2018, 46 yearlings with COF were identified and allocated to a surgically (SX group, n= 26) or conservatively (No-SX, n=20) treated group. A control group consisted of 138 sire- and year-matched siblings without radiographic findings. Sales and racing performance indicators were analyzed using ANOVA with a Satterthwaite’s method with significance set to p <0.05. Results: Identification of COF on radiographic surveys were associated with significantly lower sales prices and total winnings, fewer starts, and seasons raced when compared to controls. Overall indicators racing and sales performances did not differ significantly between the SX group to the No-SX group; however, horses with COF treated surgically were more likely to achieve a racing career than those treated conservatively (OR: 6.2, p=0.0288, 95% CI: 0.987-69.690). When compared to control horses, conservative management of COF was overall associated with significantly poorer sales and racing performances. No such differences were observed between the SX group and the control group. Main limitations: The limited sample size of affected horses possibly prevented identifying significant differences between the SX and No-SX groups. No information was recovered on lesion severity or radiographic follow-ups during each horse’s career. Conclusion: COF have the potential to impair a TB’s performance at sales and racing, and arthroscopic fragment removal may help improve sales and athletic performance.