What predisposes a horse to osselets?

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Multiple Choice

What predisposes a horse to osselets?

Osselets is inflammation of the periosteum around the fetlock due to repetitive loading and concussion during work. A horse with long pasterns and underrun heels changes how forces are transmitted through the fetlock. Long pasterns lengthen the limb’s lever arm, so each step loads the fetlock more and can increase the bending and stress on the dorsal periosteum. Underrun heels tilt the hoof forward, shifting more weight onto the front of the limb and again concentrating stress on the fetlock region. This combination makes the periosteum more susceptible to irritation and new bone formation, which is why this conformation predisposes to osselets. While heavy work can contribute to risk, the described conformation provides the strongest predisposition.

Osselets is inflammation of the periosteum around the fetlock due to repetitive loading and concussion during work. A horse with long pasterns and underrun heels changes how forces are transmitted through the fetlock. Long pasterns lengthen the limb’s lever arm, so each step loads the fetlock more and can increase the bending and stress on the dorsal periosteum. Underrun heels tilt the hoof forward, shifting more weight onto the front of the limb and again concentrating stress on the fetlock region. This combination makes the periosteum more susceptible to irritation and new bone formation, which is why this conformation predisposes to osselets. While heavy work can contribute to risk, the described conformation provides the strongest predisposition.

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