Owner survey of tarsocrural effusion (bog spavin) in Clydesdale horses

Authors
M. P. Weaver, BVMS, PhD, DrMedVet, DVR, MRCVS and L. Wilant, BVM&S, MRCVS
Date
March 2012
Journal
Veterinary Record
Volume
170
Number
11
Pages
286

A postal survey of the owners of Clydesdale horses in the UK and USA was conducted to obtain information on tarsocrural effusion (‘bog spavin’) as an indicator of osteochondrosis from 935 horses. Additional information requested included details of how this condition was investigated and treated. The reported tarsocrural effusion incidence was 10 per cent. The majority of respondents believed the condition to be of concern to Clydesdale owners, but only a minority were aware of the implications of tarsocrural effusion, suggesting that owner education would be of benefit.