Soft palate angle and basihyoid depth increase with tongue size and with body condition score in horses.

Background: Obesity has been associated with human obstructive sleep apnoea and canine brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome. The effect of body condition score (BCS) on structures of the oropharynx, nasopharynx and upper airway of the horse has not been investigated.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of BCS on tongue measurements, soft palate angle and basihyoid depth in horses.

Computed tomography identified mineralisation of the longitudinal odontoid ligament of the horse is associated with age and sex but not with the clinical sign of head shaking.

Mineralisation of the longitudinal odontoid ligament has recently been identified in three horses undergoing computed tomographic (CT) examination, but published studies describing the clinical relevance of this finding are currently lacking. The objective of this retrospective, analytical, cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship of this image finding to primary presenting complaint, age, breed, use and sex of the patient, and determine any association to the clinical signs of head shaking, neck pain or restricted range of neck motion. Computed tomographic images of 96 horses undergoing examination of the head and cranial cervical spine, for a variety of clinical reasons, were assessed for the presence of mineralisation within the longitudinal odontoid ligament.

CT more accurately detects foreign bodies within the equine foot than MRI or digital radiography.

Identification and characterization of foreign bodies in the distal limb of horses poses a diagnostic challenge. The aims of this prospective experimental cadaver study were to describe the appearance of five foreign body materials within the equine hoof using CT, MRI, and digital radiography (DR) and to compare interrater agreement among three reviewers. Fifty foreign bodies consisting of five materials were implanted at a solar location or a coronary location in 25 equine cadaver feet.