Orthopedic diseases diagnosed in foals in the early stages of development ("DOD" developmental orthopedic disease) have a particularly high incidence of occurrence in the first weeks of life, can hinder proper growth, and be limiting in adults with a significant impact on sport horse breeding. These include growth-related pathologies starting from the first days of life such as incomplete ossification of the cuboidal bones, up to one year of age with angular / physical deformities, and flexural deformities with an incidence of 73 to 88% on all pathologies of skeletal development in growing subjects. Angular and flexural deformities are of considerable interest in veterinary practice as the conformational assessment of the limbs is an important aspect of the orthopedic examination in foals. In fact, the presence of deviations, even if moderate, has been associated with a higher incidence of orthopedic problems in the sport horse due to the biomechanical changes of both the district affected by the deformity and the distal or proximal anatomical areas. Also, in the Piedmontese calf the incidence of moderate and severe flexural deformities is very high and we have recently extended our research to this bovine breed as well.

An early therapeutic intervention, for example through orthosis, can be of valuable benefit in the treatment of mild and moderate deformities and as a post-operative support measure following surgical interventions both in the foal and calf.

The main focus of research in this area involves:

• The study of the development of muscle architecture and functional neuromuscular partitioning in the muscles of the forelimbs of foals and normal adult horses and foals affected by growth disorders.
• The application of potential minimally invasive therapeutic interventions in foals suffering from flexural deformities using botulinum toxin (Btx-A).
• The development of corrective orthoses for the early treatment of incomplete ossification of the carpal bones, angular and flexural deformities, and for post-operative support after surgery in foals and calves.

• Zarucco L (PI) “Pathogenetic mechanisms of flexural deformities in foals: Implications of changes in muscle-tendon architecture and neuromuscular function on therapeutic approaches and their efficacy” Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca(MUIR) research initiative 2001-2005 (DM 1.2.2005, n.18)2006-2010 , Roma, Italia.

• Bertone C, Lauria A, Stefanovski D, Zarucco L (2020) Development of a dynamic orthosis for stabilization and correction of carpal developmental disorders in foals. Abstracts of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons – 29th Annual Scientific Meeting, Vet. Surg. Vol.49 (Issue S2) pg 0186.
• L. Turin, F. Crosa, L. Bianchessi, B. Riccio, L. Zarucco (2019)Immune response of horses to therapeutic administration of Botulinum neurotoxin for flexural deformities. 16th WEVA - International Congress - Verona, Italy 3-5 Oct.
• L. Turin, F. Crosa, L. Bianchessi, B. Riccio, L. Zarucco (2019)Immune response of horses to therapeutic administration of Botulinum neurotoxin for flexural deformities. 16th WEVA - International Congress - Verona, Italy 3-5 Oct.
• Zarucco L, Gillono E, Boston R (2010) Idiopathic flexural limb deformities: muscle architecture and skeletal geometry in normal and affected newborn foals. Abstracts of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons – 19th Annual Scientific Meeting, 1-3 July 2010, Helsinki, Finland. Vet. Surg. 39 (Suppl S1) pg E25.
• Zarucco L, Taylor KT, Stover SM (2004) Determination of muscle architecture and fiber characteristics of the superficial and deep digital flexor muscles in adult Thoroughbred horses. Am J Vet Res: 65 (6), 819-828.

• Dr. Andrea Lauria - Globosan S.r.L.
• Dr.ssa Cristina Bertone, Pool House Equine Clinic, Lichfield, WS13 8RD, UK
• Prof. Darko Stefanovski, Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, New Bolton center, PA, USA
• Prof.ssa Lauretta Turin Università degli Studi di Milano
• Country Life Farm, Fallston, Maryland, USA
• Sycamore Hall, L, Chesapeake, Maryland, USA
• Gestüt Lewitz, Neustadt-Glewe, Germania
• Centro Equino Arcadia, Villafranca Piemonte (TO) Dr.ssa Giovanna Romano