Prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries associated with lameness in Australian campdraft horses.

Background: Campdrafting is a unique Australian cow horse sport, which evolved from mustering cattle and is one of Australia's fastest growing equine sports. This discipline is associated with its own unique set of musculoskeletal injuries yet to be reported.

Objectives: To describe the prevalence, anatomical location, and diagnostic modality used to localise lameness in campdrafting horses to better assist efficient orthopaedic management of the campdraft horse.

Study design: Retrospective case series.

Methods: Medical records were examined from one private practice equine group and one university veterinary hospital between 2017 and 2024. Lameness examinations conducted by 5 veterinarians were included. Data were collected regarding signalment, history, findings on physical and lameness examinations, results of diagnostic procedures performed, and final diagnoses.

Results: Two hundred and sixty-seven horses were observed; the most common lameness grade was 2/5 (AAEP; 116; 43%), and the most common breed was Australian stock horses (109; 40%). Forelimb lameness was observed in 53% (143/267) and hindlimb lameness in 41% (112/267) of horses. Forelimb lameness was bilateral in 36 (13%) horses, and bilateral hindlimb lameness was observed in 19 horses. Diagnostic anaesthesia was utilised in 187 (70%) of the 267 horses, with anaesthesia of the abaxial sesamoid nerve block rendering most commonly a positive response (43; 22%). Diagnostic anaesthesia followed by radiography sufficed to obtain a final diagnosis in 110 (41%) cases. Diagnostic anaesthesia, radiographic, and ultrasonographic examination was used to achieve a final diagnosis in 67 (25%) cases. Lameness associated with the distal interphalangeal joint was the most common finding (23%; 63/267), followed by the metacarpus and metatarsus (19%; 53/267).

Main limitations: Responses to diagnostic anaesthesia and lameness were evaluated subjectively.

Conclusion: In the study sample of campdraft horses, lameness was more commonly observed in the distal forelimb compared with samples from other disciplines in cow horse sports.