摘要 : Horses have always been used because of the huge potential of their musculoskeletal system and associated locomotor performance. Consequently, disorders of the musculoskeletal system rank first in causes of wastage. Within these m... 展开 Horses have always been used because of the huge potential of their musculoskeletal system and associated locomotor performance. Consequently, disorders of the musculoskeletal system rank first in causes of wastage. Within these musculoskeletal disorders problems related to articular cartilage and (flexor) tendons are of special importance, because of the notorious bad healing capacity of these tissues in mature individuals. There is increasing evidence for an important role of exercise in the juvenile phase in the conditioning of tissues and hence physical capacities and injury resistance of the horse (as in humans), including articular cartilage and (to a lesser extent) tendons. It is likely, therefore, that husbandry systems that limit the possibility to exercise at young age are detrimental for the development of a strong, injury-resistant musculoskeletal system whereas promoting physical exercise at young age can be expected to have a protective effect and hence may be an effective way to prevent musculoskeletal injury later in life. 收起