Vol. 12, Special Issue 10 (2023)

Author(s):
JK Mahla, PV Parikh, KM Panchal, JJ Parmar, NR Amin, PB Dabhi, BR Patel, KG Gajera, MJ Chaudhari, Bhalodi AS, AJ Mayani, AR Mecvan, AJ Dhami and MT Panchal

Abstract:
A lowerlimb lameness affected horses (n=164) were surveyed during year 2020-21 to 2021-22; where 197lameness conditions recorded. The breedwise incidence recorded highest 25.61% (42/164) in Sindhi Cross, whereas lameness conditions were recorded higher in Kathiyawadi 24.87% (49/197). The adult horses had highest incidence of lower limb lameness 48.22% as compared to young and old age horses, out of these 55.49% lameness were recorded in males and 44.51% in females. Horse rearing practice based incidence was recorded highest in ceremonial dance horses (36.59%; 60/164), followed by carting horses (22.56%; 37/164), patrolling horses or mounted police horses (17.68%; 29/164), race horses (14.02%; 23/164) and lowest in breeding horses (9.15%; 15/164).Only two breeds Sindhi and Sindhi Cross were used for horse carting purpose; amongst that lameness was observed more in the Sindhi Cross (76.19%; 32/42). Flooring pattern based incidence of lameness was recorded higher (60.37%; 99/164) in the horses those were reared on Pakka floor than in the Kachcha flooring (39.63%; 65/164). Feeding practice based lameness incidence was Unlikely observed higher (45.73%; 75/164) in balanced feed as compared to higher concentrate diet horses (30.49%; 50/164); which might be due to their purpose of rearing e.g. all dance horses and carting horses were maintained on balanced diet, so higher lameness incidence was due to their work output. Hoof trimming interval >3months showed higher incidence of lameness (38.42%; 63/164). The seasonal impact on lameness incidence was recorded highest in summer (47.20%; 93/197), followed by winter (31.47%; 62/197) and least in the monsoon season (21.32%; 2/197). Forelimb lameness conditions were recorded higher in the left (19.80%; 39/197), whereas right limb showed higher incidence of lameness (19.29%; 38/197) in hindlimb. Amongst 24 Lameness affections, canker had higher incidence of lameness (16.75%; 33/197).