Speakers
Talk/Presentation
Presenting the findings of the TBA/HBLB funded research on the epidemiology and genetics of congenital musculoskeletal disorders in neonatal Thoroughbreds: Conformational abnormalities present at birth are not only an important cause of dystocia and neonatal death, but also the most common reason for foals requiring veterinary treatment during the first 48 hours of life. Additionally, these lesions can have long-term impact both on foals’ musculoskeletal health and athletic performance, and dams’ reproductive soundness and fertility. The treatment and management of mares and foals affected by these conditions is frequently costly and time consuming and therefore efforts to try to prevent their occurrence are certainly warranted. However, because the causes and origins of these conditions are poorly understood, there is currently a lack of effective prevention strategies. By improving the understanding of how exposures during pregnancy and genetic variants contribute to the risk of these conditions, it will be possible to modify management and breeding practices to reduce their occurrence and impact.
