Musculoskeletal responses of 2-year-old Thoroughbred horses to early training. 6. Bone parameters in the third metacarpal and third metatarsal bones

Abstract

AIM: To determine the effect of a known training regimen on the size and mineral content of the third metacarpal (Mc3) and third metatarsal (Mt3) bones of 2-year-old Thoroughbred horses trained on racetracks.

METHODS: Mc3 and Mt3 of seven horses trained on grass and sand tracks were scanned at several sites using conventional quantitative and peripheral computed tomography (CT). Bone dimensions and density in the diaphysis and epiphysis were compared with those from seven untrained horses. Calcein label was injected in two clusters, during Weeks 9 and 12. The extent and rate of diaphyseal modelling was determined by confocal fl uorescent microscopic examination of thin plane parallel sections of the mid-metacarpal region.

RESULTS: Volumetric bone mineral density (BMDv) of the epiphysis was markedly higher and of the diaphysis was slightly higher in trained compared with untrained horses, but greater bone size in the trained horses had the greatest effect on an index of bone strength. Active osteons, defined as Haversian systems containing calcein label, were fewer, of smaller diameter at the time of calcein injection, and had a greater bone apposition rate in trained than in untrained horses.

CONCLUSIONS: Conventional training of 2-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses over a 13-week period had a significant effect on bone size, density and strength index when compared to untrained horses.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Bone responded rapidly to early training. The data provide reference values and sites for use in longitudinal studies of commercial training regimens.

KEY WORDS:

• Horse
• third metacarpal bone
• diaphysis
• epiphysis
• training
• computed tomography
• bone label
• calcein
• confocal fluorescent microscopy

Acknowledgements

The authors express their gratitude to Martin Johnson and Tracey Faram for their technical expertise in different phases of the project. We also acknowledge the funding support of the New Zealand Equine Research Foundation and the New Zealand Racing Board.