34th Annual Scientific Meeting proceedings

Objectives:

Radiographic surveys in Thoroughbred (TB) yearlings occasionally reveal carpal osteochondral fragments (COF). This is the first study to assess the impact of COF on TB yearling’s sales and racing performance, and whether these are improved by arthroscopic removal.

Methods:

In a retrospective study clinical records from the years 2015-2018 were reviewed and 46 yearlings with dorsal COF of the radial or intermediate carpal bone identified. These were grouped into a surgically (SX group, n= 26) and conservatively (No-SX group, n=20) treated group. 138 sire- and year-matched siblings without radiographic findings served as controls. Sales and racing performance indicators were gathered from the databases equiline.com and equibase.com. Data were analyzed using ANOVA with a Satterthwaite’s method (significance p <0.05) and the odds ratio for horses to race were calculated for each group.

Results:

COF were associated with lower sales prices and total winnings, fewer starts, and seasons raced relative to controls. Overall, results did not differ significantly between treatment groups, but the SX group was more likely to race than the No-SX group. (OR: 6.2, p=0.0288, 95% CI: 0.987-69.690). Compared to control horses, the No-SX group performed significantly worse at sales and races, while no such differences were observed between the SX group and the control group.

Conclusions:

COF negatively impact TB’s sales and racing prospects. Arthroscopic removal can mitigate these impairments and increases the odds to achieve a racing career. This encourages to invest in arthroscopic COF removal and to consider promising yearlings for purchase regardless of a previously performed arthroscopy.