Survey of the occurrence of equine deep digital flexor tendon contraction (clubfoot) in the main thoroughbred breeding area in Japan.
At 114 ranches in the Hidaka District of Hokkaido, a total of 1,118 Thoroughbred foals that were born from January to June 2003 were examined at different times from May to September of the same year to ascertain the occurrence of clubfoot. Clubfoot was seen in a total of 179 foals (16%) at 89 ranches (78%). Also, 124 of the 179 foals (69.3%) had clubfoot of grade II or higher, and it was found that grade I was likely to be overlooked or rapidly advance. In the present study, the occurrence of clubfoot was higher than expected in the investigated region. Hence, it is necessary to establish accurate diagnostic techniques and clubfoot guidelines to minimize the impact.
Equine Science Division, Hidaka Yearling Training Farm, Japan Racing Association, 535-13 Nishicha, Urakawa-cho, Urakawa-gun, Hokkaido 057-0171, Japan ; The Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association, Shizunai Stallion Station, 517 Shizunaitahara, Shin-hidaka, Hidaka, Hokkaido 056-0144, Japan.
Kosuke
K
Tanaka
Equine Science Division, Hidaka Yearling Training Farm, Japan Racing Association, 535-13 Nishicha, Urakawa-cho, Urakawa-gun, Hokkaido 057-0171, Japan.
Yo
Y
Asai
Clinical Science & Pathobiology Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, 321-4 Tokami-cho, Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi 320-0856, Japan.
Atsutoshi
A
Kuwano
Japan; Thoroughbred; clubfoot; foals