Impact of Suspensory Ligament Desmitis on Performance of Trotting Horses

Impact of Suspensory Ligament Desmitis on Athletic Performance of Trotting Horses: A Retrospective Study

J Equine Vet Sci. 2026 Nov 5:106202. doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106202. Online ahead of print.
Authors
L Charles 1 , S Caure 2 , A R Caseiro 3 , J Pimenta 4
Affiliations

1 Vasco da Gama University School (EUVG), Coimbra, Portugal.
2 Livet Equine Veterinary Hospital Center, France.
3 Vasco da Gama University School (EUVG), Coimbra, Portugal; Vasco da Gama Research Center (CIVG), Vasco da Gama University School (EUVG), Coimbra, Portugal; REQUIMTE – Associate Laboratory for Green Chemistry, University of Porto, Portugal.
4 Vasco da Gama University School (EUVG), Coimbra, Portugal; Vasco da Gama Research Center (CIVG), Vasco da Gama University School (EUVG), Coimbra, Portugal; Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Science (AL4AnimalS), Portugal; Animal and Veterinary Research Center (CECAV), Vila Real, Portugal. Electronic address: jose.pimenta@euvg.pt.

PMID: 42988183
DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106202

Abstract

Background: Suspensory ligament (SL) desmitis is one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries affecting trotting horses being frequently associated with reduced athletic performance and premature retirement. However, the prognostic value of clinical and ultrasonographic findings remains incompletely understood.

Aims/objectives: To evaluate the impact of proximal and/or body SL desmitis on athletic performance of French Trotters and determine whether horse related characteristics, ultrasonographic lesion severity, lesion location, or treatment modality influence prognosis.

Methods: Medical records of 36 French Trotters diagnosed with proximal and/or body SL desmitis were retrospectively reviewed. Horse related characteristics, ultrasonographic findings, treatment protocols, recurrence, inactivity period, return to competition, race earnings, and Index of Trot (ITR) were analysed. Statistics were applied with non-parametric testing.

Results: Twenty-four horses (66.7%) returned to competition, whereas 12 (33.3%) retired. Four horses experienced recurrence after returning to competition. The median inactivity period was 193 days. Age, number of affected limbs, lesion location, treatment modality, and ultrasonographic parameters (cross-sectional area grade, longitudinal fibre pattern, and overall lesion severity) did not significantly influence outcome, recurrence, or inactivity period (all p > 0.05). Post-injury race earnings (p = 0.005) and ITR values (p = 0.004) were significantly lower than pre-injury values. Hindlimb lesions were associated with a longer inactivity period than forelimb lesions (p = 0.03).

Conclusions: SL desmitis significantly compromises athletic performance in French Trotters despite a relatively high return-to-competition rate. Common clinical and ultrasonographic variables showed limited prognostic value, highlighting the need for further studies to identify reliable predictors of outcome and recurrence.

Keywords: Equine; French Trotters; desmitis; outcome; suspensory ligament.

Copyright © 2026. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.