Effects of early exercise on metacarpophalangeal joints in horses

Abstract

Objective - To determine the effects of exercise at an early age on tissues in the metacarpophalangeal joints of horses. Animals - Twelve 18-month-old horses. Procedures - All horses were pasture reared, but 6 horses had additional exercise starting at 3 weeks of age until 18 months of age. At that time, computed tomography, articular cartilage metabolism evaluation, and histologic assessments of synovial membrane, articular cartilage, and subchondral bone were performed. Results - Exercised horses had fewer gross lesions, less articular cartilage matrix staining in the dorsal aspect of the condyle, greater bone fraction in the dorsolateral aspect of the condyle, and higher bone formation rate, compared with nonexercised horses. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance - Exercise at a young age may be protective to joints, although more research is needed to characterize changes in articular cartilage matrix. Results suggested that exercise can be safely imposed at an early age.