However, the amount of nutrients needed in the diet for bone growth depends entirely upon the rate at which growth is occurring. Although DOD occur most commonly in the overfed horse, it may occur in the underfed horse as well. This is thought to occur as a result of inadequate protein in the diet. Adequate amounts of calcium and phosphorus must be available for endochondral ossification to occur. Without adequate quantities of calcium or phosphorus, endochondral cartilage becomes thickened, bone density and growth decrease, and DOD occur.
Copper is involved in stabilizing bone collagen and elastin synthesis.
Plasma and liver copper concentrations fell, while diarrhea, a stilted gait, and ultimately walking on the front of the hoof occurred, in all foals fed an experimental, low copper milk replacer. In contrast to copperdeficient ruminants, the growth rate of the copperdeficient foals wasn't reduced, and anemia and decreased hair coloration did not occur. However, it has been shown that, in contrast to what has been theorized, the mare's milk supplies adequate copper and also zinc for the nursing foal for the first few months of life, and that neither the mare's milk nor the nursing foal's blood concentrations are affected by copper and zinc concentrations in the mare's diet. There seems to be many causes and therefore a variety of possible cures. Information on developmental orthopedic disease both nationally and internationally.