Veterinary Yearling Inspections
The first yearling sales are fast approaching which is an exciting time for trainers and
owners alike. When looking to buy a yearling there is many aspects to look at including
pedigree, offspring, confirmation, and veterinary assessment. Many people are involved in
the decision process, trainer, together with bloodstock advisor and the veterinary surgeon.
Veterinary surgeons work load at the sales has greatly increased with the advance of
yearlings being presented with radiographs. All yearlings are clinically examined by the
veterinary surgeon for confirmation and swelling associated with the legs, we also look for
angulations or corrections that have occurred with the horse as a foal. The horse is
examined at the walk to allow assessment of the flight of the limbs in the air. A veterinary
assessment allows a very subjective assessment to be made with no preconceptions
regarding pedigree or what should be there. This allows another opinion to be given to you
the purchaser to allow an assessment to be made of the horse.
Confirmation is an important part that contributes to the chances of
your horse maintaining soundness in a racing career. Recently a study
performed in America, has followed horses from foals through to
racehorses and taken measurements to monitor the injury rate. This
has shown that offset knees, i.e. cannon bone does not exit straight
below the knee, but is slightly to the outer as shown in the picture,
increases the chances of fetlock problems. There is much more detail
contained in the article which can be viewed at:
http://www.equineortho.colostate.edu/questions/conformation.htm
The joints radiographed and reviewed by vets include, stifles, hocks,
hind fetlocks, carpii (knees), front fetlocks and front feet. There are 34
radiographs presented for each horse at the sale. As vets we look at
and assess the changes on the radiographs, an assessment is given of
the horse based on personal experience, research information and the
clinical examination of the horse.
Horses are classified as low, medium and high risk racing propositions. It should be
remembered that this is no guarantee that a low risk horse will be sound and make it to
the race course, equally there will be horses that fall under the high risk category that go
on to race, with no apparent problems.
A recent study presented by Australian Veterinary surgeons found that horses in the low
and moderate risk groups were statistically likely to have more earnings on the racetrack
than horses within the high risk category.
On the radiographs we are assessing for any developmental bone abnormalities (OCD
lesions) combined with changes on the radiographs due to confirmation or in response to
the yearling preparation. Horses that have had significant bone remodelling following a
yearling preparation may have a greater degree of joint problems as their racing career
continues.
If you have any queries regarding this case please do not hesitate to contact me either via
email: info@kensingtonbanks.com.au or phone 03 9573 3730.
Dr Mike Tweedie
Kensington Banks