# Common Radiographic Findings in Moroccan Working Equids: A Retrospective Study (2015–2022)

## TL;DR

This study analyzed radiographs of Moroccan working equids to identify common musculoskeletal issues, showing that foot-related changes and fractures are most prevalent.

## Contribution

The study provides a detailed overview of radiographically detectable musculoskeletal disorders in working equids in Morocco, emphasizing radiography's role in low-resource settings.

## Key findings

- Foot-related changes were the most frequent radiographic finding in working equids.
- Fractures and periosteal new bone formation were also commonly observed.
- Degenerative joint disease and limb deformities were less common but still significant.

## Abstract

Working equids, including horses, donkeys, and mules, are essential for daily transportation and labor in many Moroccan communities. However, they are often exposed to demanding conditions that predispose them to musculoskeletal injuries, including foot-related changes, fractures, and other skeletal disorders. In this study, we reviewed more than 1100 radiographs from nearly 500 equids examined at four Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA) centers in Morocco. Foot-related changes were the most frequent findings, followed by fractures and periosteal new bone formation. Less common conditions included degenerative joint disease, limb deformities, and other bone-related abnormalities. Radiography proved to be a key diagnostic tool for identifying these disorders and supporting clinical decision-making in low-resource settings. These findings provide descriptive information on radiographically detectable musculoskeletal conditions in working equids and offer a basis for future research under field conditions.

Working equids are at high risk of musculoskeletal disorders due to strenuous labor, repetitive tasks, and harsh environmental conditions. This retrospective study describes the distribution of radiographically detected musculoskeletal findings in working equids presented to four Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA) centers in Morocco, based on 498 animals and 1125 radiographs collected between 2015 and 2022. The study population was mainly composed of horses (78.1%), followed by donkeys (15.3%) and mules (6.6%). Most were males (65.7%), and the majority were between 5 and 15 years old (60.4%). The distal limb (foot, pastern, and fetlock) was the most frequently examined region (62.7%). Among the animals reviewed, 381 (76.5%) exhibited at least one radiographically detected abnormality, while 117 (23.5%) showed no visible osseous change. The most frequent findings included foot-related changes (36.2%), defined as non-fracture podiatric abnormalities, fractures (29.7%), and periosteal new bone formation (22%). Less frequent findings were degenerative joint disease (8.1%), joint subluxation or luxation (1.6%), epiphyseal abnormalities (1.6%), and angular deformities (0.8%). These results provide an overview of radiographically detected osseous changes in working equids under field conditions. They highlight the diagnostic value of radiography in low-resource environments and provide a basis for future field-based studies.