Certain limb conformational defects in equine

Abstract

A total of 90 horses were screened in the equine survey which included stud of Bihar military police, horses registered for treatment at clinical complex of Bihar veterinary college Patna and at different veterinary hospitals and villages in and around 10 Km area of Patna. Abnormal conformation in forelimb and hind limb were recorded and on the basis of collected data prevalence of lameness due to abnormal conformation were declared. The abnormal conformations were detected on the basis of physical appearance, outline of muscles and structures of bones of a horse. The horses were observed from poll to tail and down to gaskin for alignment of vertebral column, straightness and symmetry. Abnormal conformation were evaluated by viewing the horse from the left side and assessing balance by comparing the head, neck and forelimb with the hind limb and croup. Out of ninety horses screened during the survey eleven horses were detected with abnormal conformation which were two toe-out, one toe-in, seven cow-hock and one bow leg. The bad conformations in forelimb were toe-out and toe-in. In toe-out base narrow condition was observed and toes were pointed away from each other which are one of the worst conformations of forelimb. In toe-in condition toes were pointed towards one another accompanied by base narrow condition. The most common abnormal hind limb conformations were cow-hock and bow-leg. In cow-hock the horses were base narrow up to hock and base wide from hock downwards whereas in bow legs the line drawn from tuber ischii did not bisect the legs.