Researchers have begun a four-year study aimed at tracking the progress and prevalence of radiographic abnormalities in yearling Thoroughbreds.

Study leaders Wayne McIlwraith, BVSc, PhD, DSc, FRCVS, Dipl. ACVS; Frances Peat. BVSc, PGCertSc; and Chris Kawcak, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, ACVSMR from the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Orthopaedic Research Center, in Fort Collins, are working with Lexington, Kentucky-based veterinarian Jeff Berk, VMD, on the project.

Some radiographic changes remain a source of controversy for Thoroughbred sellers, buyers, trainers, and veterinarians. With this study the team hope to address two issues that are a source of that controversy: sesamoiditis with associated suspensory branch changes, and lucencies or subchondral cystic lesions of the stifle’s medial femoral condyle.

While several studies have been performed in the past, one that specifically investigates sales horses and follows them at yearling and 2-year-old sales has never been conducted