mkreke's WunderBlog

Developmental Orthopedic Disease, or DOD, is not one disease; instead it is a number of diseases or conditions, all which affect the bone growth of young horses.

Conditions such as flexural limb deformities (better known as contracted tendons), osteochondrosis (the more severe form which is osteochondrosis dissecans -- OCD), which happens when cartilage fails to harden into bone, and angular limb deformities (also known as "crooked-legged" foals) are all part of DOD.

The exact mechanisms of the causes of these various diseases are complex and not completely understood, but there are a few basic things that seem to increase the chances of DOD.

It is very important that pregnant mares and growing foals have a balanced diet, particularly a balanced calcium:phosphorus ratio. This, more than anything else, has been shown over and over to be related to the development of DOD.

Feeding in excess of calorie needs is a big cause of DOD. By overfeeding by 29%, researchers were able to cause various forms of DOD in every growing horse in that particular study.

Forms of DOD are also more common in young horses that are heavier than most foals their age, as well as foals that are fed to achieve fast rates of growth. Foals that are confined most of the day are also at increased risk, as well as growing horses that are over-exercised.

It appears that the easiest way to prevent DOD is to ensure pregnant mares and growing foals have a balanced diet and are not fed in excess of their calorie needs.

They should also be fed for a moderate rate of growth as opposed to rapid rate of growth. Growing horses should be allowed as much voluntary exercise as possible. If forced exercise (ie. longing) is required, it should be kept to a low intensity, and the time length should be watched.

For more information about developmental orthopedic disease, check out:
www.understanding-horse-nutrition.com/developmental-orthopedic-disease.html.
There you will find information on the rest of the conditions that make up DOD, as well as various causes and preventions.