PREVALENCE AND RISK-FACTORS OF BONE SPAVIN IN ICELANDIC HORSES IN SWEDEN - A RADIOGRAPHIC FIELD-STUDY

The present field study was performed to estimate the prevalence of ra diographic signs of bone spavin (RSBS) and to evaluate some possible r isk factors for RSBS in the Icelandic horse in Sweden. The survey incl uded horses from 11 farms involving 379 horses, comprising 238 gelding s, 125 mares and 16 stallions. Age ranged from 0 to 19 years with a me an age of 8.1 years. Horses were radiographed with a dorsolateral-plan taromedial-oblique projection of both tarsi. Information about age, ge nder, origin, working intensity, number of gaits and age when saddle b roken were obtained by interviewing the owners. Features of each horse 's conformation were obtained by measurement or inspection. Radiograph ic signs of bone spavin were found in 23% (n = 88) of the horses. Hors es younger than 5 years did not show any RSBS and the prevalence incre ased from zero to 33% between 4 and 8 years of age. Using a multivaria te logistic regression model increasing age and sickle hock conformati on were found to be significantly associated with increased risk of RS BS. Age when saddle broken in combination with height at the withers a lso influenced the multivariate logistic regression model significantl y.