The Relationship Between Bucked Shins, Blood Parameters And Cannon Bone Measurements In Thoroughbreds Being Prepared For Two Year Olds In Training Sales

Bucked shins is a term used to describe a condition of the third metacarpal bone which is related to bone fatigue and/ or stress fractures. This is a common problem in racehorses in the first year of training. Thirty Thoroughbreds were studied as they were prepared for two-year-olds in training sales that took place in late winter or early spring. Measurements began when the horses were already in moderate to intense taining and lasted 56 days. Bone mineral content was calculated and bone morphological measurements were taken from radiogaphs. Plasma concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, and osteocalcin were also measured.

There was a trend toward greater bone mineral content and radiographic bone aluminum equivalency in the unaffected horses, and these horses also had significantly greater lateral cortical width, bone width, and total radiographic bone aluminum equivalency. Plasma calcium, phosphorus, and osteocalcin dropped in affected (5) and unaffected (25) horses throughout the study. Calcium and phosphorus levels were similar between the groups, but osteocalcin was significantly higher in affected horses. The explanation for these differences is not apparent, since all horses in the study were managed similarly.

Pagan, J. D., L. A. Lawrence, and D. Nash. 2007. The relationship between bucked shins, blood parameters and cannon bone measurements in Thoroughbreds being prepared for two year olds in training sales. In: Proc. 20th Equine Science Society. Hunt Valley, Md. June 5–8. pp. 88–90.