Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University Veterinary Research Forum 2008-8140 17 8 2026 08 01 Radiographic abnormalities in the fetlock joints of equestrian horses in Tehran province, Iran 565 571 738021 10.30466/vrf.2025.2060676.4761 EN Majid Masoudifard Department of Surgery and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran 0000-0001-9087-6919 Mohammad Reza Esmailinejad Department of Surgery and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran 0000-0002-4548-1771 Elham Ebrahimi Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran Mohammad Mahdi Dehghan Department of Surgery and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran 0000-0002-8825-9070 Mohammadjavad Jahedi DVM Student, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran Journal Article 2025 05 14 Disorders and injuries of the fetlock joint, encompassing both bone and soft tissue, are significant causes of limb pain and lameness in horses. Over time, these conditions can lead to joint dysfunction and a diminished quality of life. This study aimed to identify fetlock joint disorders using radiological examinations conducted during pre-purchase evaluations of horses and to evaluate the influence of age and sex on their incidence rates. 100 horses were selected from equestrian centers in Tehran Province during 2017 - 2020. As part of pre-purchase examinations, standard radiographic projections of the fetlock joints of all four limbs were obtained. Among the 100 horses examined, 28 showed no abnormalities in the fetlock joint, while 72 exhibited at least one disorder. Osteoarthritis was the most frequently observed condition, with an incidence of 26.75%, followed by soft tissue swelling (15.80%), medial and lateral proximal sesamoiditis (6.00%), osteochondritis dissecans (7.50%) and avulsion fractures (1.50%). Other disorders accounted for less than 5.00% of cases. The prevalence of disorders was significantly higher in the forelimbs compared to the hindlimbs, while no significant difference was found between male and female horses. The findings of this study underscored the importance of conducting pre-purchase radiographic examinations, particularly of the fetlock joints in both forelimbs and hindlimbs. These evaluations are crucial for identifying potential bone complications and for assessing the prognosis of a horse athletic performance. https://vrf.iranjournals.ir/article_738021_2cd037ea722321c0f33b7c854b9eee62.pdf