Ultrasonographic evaluation of morphometric measurements of plantar metatarsal tendons and ligaments in Colombian Creole horses

Objective. Determine the morphometric values of the plantar metatarsal tendons and ligaments in clinically healthy animals. Materials and methods. Thirty animals were used throughout the study, the plantar metatarsal tendons and ligaments were evaluated starting from the plantaromedial aspect of the proximal region to the insertion of the suspensory branches in the sesamoids bones. The variables to be studied in each structure were cross-sectional area (cm2), lateral medial width (ALM) (cm) and dorsal palmar thickness (EDP) (cm). Results. It was found that the structure with the largest area in the proximal regions was the suspensory ligament (0.858 cm2) followed by the lateral digital flexor (0.759 cm2), in regions 1B and 2A the largest structure remained the suspensory ligament and in the region 2B, the deep digital flexor tendon was the largest structure (0.804 cm2). Conclusions. The behavior of the variables in the Colombian Creole horse is similar to that reported in the literature and finally the first reference values of morphometric measurements of the tendons and ligaments of the plantar metatarsal in this breed are presented.