Letter to the Editor: Radiographs

As we approach the beginning of the Thoroughbred yearling sales season, it is worth reflecting on the process used by buyers to select their racing and sales prospects.  Part of the process includes veterinary scrutiny of the radiographs of yearling's' joints.  Veterinarians review the radiographs, note any abnormal findings, and then are called upon to assign a level of risk for racing and / or resale that the findings may represent.  Another layer of due diligence in recent years has been ultrasound examination of horses' limbs for soft tissue abnormalities, in this case the suspensory branches relative to any sesamoid changes seen in the X-rays. The veterinary opinions are often based upon personal experience, because there is little research to help understand the findings. This has historically resulted in a wide range of opinions on radiographic findings, confusion in the marketplace, and often an unfair and overcritical evaluation of racing and sales prospects.

In an attempt to address the lack of important data and the resulting negative consequences to the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry, several studies have recently been completed looking at stifle and sesamoid radiographs as well as suspensory branch ultrasound findings  in sales horses. Initiated by clinician scientists at the Orthopaedic Research Center at Colorado State University, these studies started with evaluation of the radiographs of 2,508 yearlings and suspensory branch ultrasound exams of 593 yearlings at the 2016 Keeneland September Sale. The next step was to evaluate any horses from the initial group that went to the 2017 2-year-olds in training sales to study the progression or regression of the findings. The final portion of the research was to study racing outcomes through the end of the horses' 4-year-old racing season to see what effect the radiographic and ultrasonographic findings had on their performance as racehorses.

The results of the studies are encouraging, demonstrating that the presence of certain findings does not necessarily have a negative effect on suitability for racing. Another element of these studies that can benefit industry stakeholders is a recommendation to use consistent descriptions of the findings, creating uniformity in messaging of the findings and thereby helping veterinarians communicate accurate risk assessments to their clients.

The importance of this research to the Thoroughbred racing and breeding community cannot be underestimated, and there will be a significant effort to ensure that the information is accessible to everyone.  One such offering will be a presentation of the research findings at the Fasig-Tipton sales grounds, the afternoon prior to the start of the July Sale on Sunday, July 9, at 4:30 p.m. Drs. Wayne McIlwraith and Chris Kawcak will present a summary of the sesamoid and stifle findings, followed by a moderated panel discussion with sales veterinarians and a Q&A session. All stakeholders in the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry are encouraged to attend.

—Dr. Jeffrey Berk, Dr. Christopher Kawcak and Dr. Wayne McIlwraith