Lameness is a major threat to sport horses, which is why they are now routinely screened at a young age for developmental osteo-articular disorders (DODs) such as osteochondrosis and osseous cyst-like lesions. The result largely determines the economic value of the horse and its suitability for breeding. Despite the existence of an intensive selection protocol based on the radiographic phenotype, the prevalence has not decreased over the past 30 years, with prevalences reported as high as 34%.

There is a great need for new and progressive fundamental research into the functional importance and genomics of this condition. The aim of this is to be able to draw up refined selection protocols based on genomic breeding value estimation instead of phenotyping. Through these new selection protocols we want to reduce the prevalence rate of the condition, limit economic losses in this sector and improve the welfare of the horse.