Comparison of the trabeculae structure of the spongy bone of the bilateral pastern bones in racehorses based on the imaging analysis of radiograms.

On the basis of a digital analysis of radiograms it was checked if, and to what extent, the extended loading of one of the sides of the body of racehorses leads to differences in the microstructure of the spongy bone of the bilateral pastern bones of the thoracic limbs. The research material consisted of radiograms of the pastern bones of the right and left thoracic limbs of racehorses. On the basis of computer image radiological analysis with the use of the "Trabecula,, programme, a quantative evaluation of the structure of the spongy bone of the pastern bones was conducted. It was noted that the differences between the right and the left pastern bones, despite extensive loading of the left thoracic limb, were not statistically significant as far as all studied parameters of the trabecula structure of the spongy bone were concerned.