The University of Córdoba and the National Equine Reference Centre Yeguada Cartuja make progress on a study to improve age determination in Purebred Spanish Horse (PRE) foals
The project, developed under the specific collaboration agreement between the two institutions, has already presented some preliminary results at the European Veterinary Dental Forum 2026, held from 7 to 9 May in Porto (Portugal). Córdoba, [21 May 2026].
The specific collaboration agreement signed between the University of Córdoba and the National Equine Reference Centre Yeguada la Cartuja (CENRE) is beginning to bear fruit, with the development of a research project focused on age determination in Purebred Spanish Horse (PRE) foals — a matter of great interest to the equine sector, particularly at certain stages of development where estimating age through dentition can be especially complex.
The study is being carried out by the BIO-307 research group, belonging to the Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Córdoba, within the University of Córdoba’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
Determining a horse’s age through examination of its dentition is a widely used practice in equine medicine, although it remains a technical challenge at certain stages of growth. One of the most difficult periods falls between 6-9 months, when the third deciduous incisors erupt, and 30 months, when the first permanent incisors erupt. Within this window, particularly between one year and two and a half years of age, significant uncertainty can arise in accurately assigning a foal’s age.
Faced with this difficulty, the research team considered whether radiographic examination of the dental germs of unerupted incisors might reveal a clear, reproducible developmental pattern that could help improve age determination in PRE foals. The research has been led by professors Manuel Novales, Eduardo M. Hernández and Pedro J. Ginel, in collaboration with Professor Francisco Miró from the Department of Anatomy and with Dr Carla Manso, a European specialist in equine dentistry and maxillofacial surgery.
In a first phase, the group described the developmental progression of dental germs in anatomical specimens of estimated age using radiography and computed tomography, observing a well-established developmental pattern. The second phase of the work has focused on applying that knowledge to PRE animals of known age, making it possible to test the radiographic findings against a real, clinically relevant population.
The collaboration of the National Equine Reference Centre Yeguada la Cartuja (CENRE) has been particularly important for the project. The institution has made available to the research team a significant number of animals, along with suitable facilities and highly qualified technical staff, factors that have been decisive in enabling the study. This collaboration falls under the specific agreement signed between Yeguada la Cartuja and the University of Córdoba, aimed at promoting applied research, specialised training and knowledge transfer in the equine field.
The project has also benefited from the collaboration of Mr Ignacio Candau, who made foals from Yeguada Candau available to the research team. This contribution made it possible to increase the number of animals included and to study a population external to Yeguada la Cartuja, raised under similar environmental and management conditions, adding comparative value to the study design.
The preliminary research results were presented in early May by Dr Carla Manso at the European Veterinary Dental Forum 2026. According to the initial data, the team has managed to subdivide the developmental pattern of dental germs in animals aged between 5 months and 2.5 years into six distinct groups, with noticeable radiographic differences between them. The group is currently continuing to expand the sample with the aim of delivering definitive results during the course of the year.
This work is an example of collaboration between a university, reference centres and organisations in the equine sector, aimed at generating knowledge useful to vets, breeders, associations and professionals involved with the Purebred Spanish Horse. The combination of diagnostic imaging, equine dentistry, applied anatomy and zootechnical knowledge can help improve the technical criteria used to estimate foals’ ages.
The research team would like to expressly thank Ms Judit Anda, CEO of Yeguada Cartuja Hierro del Bocado, and Mr Ignacio Candau, for providing animals and facilities, as well as Dr Carla Manso, for presenting the preliminary results at a leading international scientific forum.