Congenital and Acquired Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Neonatal Foal

Conformational deviations of the limb are common in neonatal foals and can be divided into flexural limb deformities and angular limb deformities. Contracture of the palmar/plantar joint capsule can occur with chronic flexural deformity, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Acquired flexural deformities can occur in horses of any age but are most common in rapidly growing foals. Flexural deformities of the Distal Interphalangeal Joint almost always affect the forelimbs, primarily in foals 1–4 months of age and are often bilateral. Cervical Vertebral Stenotic Myelopathy (CVSM) is a common, multifactorial disease characterized by stenosis of the vertebral canal and spinal cord compression resulting in spinal ataxia in young horses. Genetic predisposition and nutritional factors are thought to be the most significant causes of postnatal vertebral deformation in CVSM. Glycogen branching enzyme deficiency is a hereditary glycogen storage disease inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, primarily in Quarter Horses and American Paint Horses.