Horse Developmental Orthopedic Disease: Welfare in Growing Horses

Developmental orthopedic diseases affect young growing horses and can cause lifelong welfare impacts. Early management of nutrition, exercise, and genetics reduces incidence and severity.

Key Facts

DOD includes osteochondrosis, physitis, flexural deformities, and subchondral bone cysts
Rapid growth, high-energy diets, and calcium-phosphorus imbalance increase risk
Large, fast-growing breeds including Warmbloods and Thoroughbreds are most affected
Many lesions resolve with appropriate management without requiring surgery
Genetic selection influences susceptibility and affected horses should not be bred

Welfare Considerations

Developmental orthopedic diseases cause joint pain and abnormal gait in young horses during a critical growth period. Osteochondrosis lesions that do not heal appropriately cause chronic joint problems affecting long-term welfare and athletic potential. The pain during the growth phase may be subtle and overlooked if foals are not monitored carefully. Appropriate nutritional management avoiding high-energy diets that cause rapid growth, combined with regular veterinary screening, allows early identification and intervention. Surgical treatment of persistent lesions in appropriate cases improves long-term welfare outcomes.

What You Can Do

Feed mares and foals balanced diets avoiding excessive energy that drives rapid growth
Ensure appropriate calcium-phosphorus ratios in growing horse diets
Schedule veterinary screening of high-risk breeds for DOD lesions
Provide appropriate controlled exercise rather than box rest for affected foals
Seek specialist advice for significant lesions to plan appropriate management
Consider radiographic screening of potential breeding stock for heritable lesions