A disease that can be debilitating in young horses is osteochondrosis. This affliction has its genesis during the youngster’s growing years and can compromise the horse’s ability to perform later in life if it is not dealt with early. Osteochondrosis is one of the diseases that comes under the general umbrella of developmental orthopedic disease (DOD), a term coined in 1986 by a blue ribbon panel of researchers sponsored by the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA). DOD encompasses all general growth disturbances in the young horse and includes the following: Osteochondrosis, acquired angular limb deformities, physitis, subchondral bone cysts, flexural deformities, cuboidal bone abnormalities, and juvenile osteoarthritis.

Osteochondrosis is a frustrating affliction because, while there are a great many theories bandied about as to its cause, there is no strong scientific evidence that any one factor is responsible. Rather, it appears, the cause could be multi-factoral and can range from genetics to mineral imbalance.

“It is definitely a disease of growth,” says Gayle Trotter, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, an associate professor of surgery at Colorado State University (CSU). “It is most apt to show up in young horses six to 12 months of age and sometimes when the horse is a long yearling.”

Genetics, he feels, is implicated. He notes that there have been instances where a number of foals sired by a particular stallion developed osteochondrosis