THE INFLUENCE OF WHOLE BODY VIBRATION ON BONE MINERAL CONTENT AND BONE METABOLISM IN THE STALLED HORSE

Abstract

Whole body vibration (WBV), an emerging therapy, has shown positive effects on bone health in humans and horses. As stalling has shown deleterious effects on bone, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of WBV on bone parameters in stalled, healthy horses. Twelve mature mixed breed horses were randomly assigned to control (CON, n = 6) or vibration (VIB, n = 6). Radiographs were taken of the left third metacarpal for determination of bone mineral content (BMC), and serum was collected for determination of pyridinoline cross-links (PYD), a marker of bone resorption. No treatment effect was found for change in BMC in any cortex (P > 0.05) or for PYD concentration (P = 0.85). BMC unexpectedly increased across both groups in all cortices (P < 0.05), yet PYD increased from day 0 to 14 (P = 0.01). The results show no influence of WBV on BMC or bone metabolism in stalled, healthy horses if no stalling-related decrease in BMC is observed.