Horse racing is a competitive equestrian sport involving horses ridden by jockeys over set distances, often on flat tracks or over obstacles. It is characterized by a variety of race types, including thoroughbred, harness, and steeplechase, each with distinct rules and traditions. The sport emphasizes speed, stamina, and strategy, with races typically categorized by distance, surface type, and horse age or breed. Horse racing plays a significant role in the equine industry, influencing breeding, training, and veterinary care practices. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the physiological demands, training methodologies, and health considerations associated with horse racing.
Cheetham J, Riordan AS, Mohammed HO, McIlwraith CW, Fortier LA.There is no consensus on objective outcome measures that can be used to determine if a medical or surgical treatment affects race performance. Objective: To determine the association between 2 commonly used outcome measures (total starts and total earnings) and age, sex, gait and race surface. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using the race performance data for all Thoroughbred horses age 2, 3, 4 and 5 years racing in the United States, and Standardbred horses of the same ages racing in the United States and Canada during the year 2006. Median earnings and starts were determined ...
Doube M, Firth EC, Boyde A, Bushby AJ.Condylar fracture of the third metacarpal bone (Mc3) is the commonest cause of racetrack fatality in Thoroughbred horses. Linear defects involving hyaline articular cartilage, articular calcified cartilage (ACC) and subchondral bone (SCB) have been associated with the fracture initiation site, which lies in the sagittal grooves of the Mc3 condyle. We discovered areas of thickened and abnormally-mineralised ACC in the sagittal grooves of several normal 18-month-old horses, at the same site that linear defects and condylar fracture occur in older Thoroughbreds and questioned whether this tissue ...
Hesse KL, Verheyen KL.Physiotherapists who work in racehorse training yards routinely treat horses' backs and hindquarters and may be able to recognise signs that indicate the presence of (impending) pelvic or hindlimb fracture before it becomes catastrophic. Objective: To establish whether physiotherapy assessment findings in Thoroughbred racehorses referred for routine physiotherapy could be predictive of subsequent (within 30 days) pelvic or hindlimb fracture diagnosis. Methods: Retrospective veterinary and physiotherapy data from a cohort of Newmarket (UK) Thoroughbred racehorses, were used. A case-control stud...
Allen KJ, Franklin SH.To date there is no information on the comparison of the more recently documented technique of performing endoscopy during ridden exercise in the field, with the more traditional method of endoscopy during high-speed treadmill exercise. Objective: To compare the results of upper respiratory tract endoscopy in UK Thoroughbred racehorses performed during ridden exercise in the field with those obtained during exercise on the treadmill. Methods: A direct comparison was undertaken in 4 horses whereby both procedures were performed in the same horse within 10 days of each other. An indirect compari...
Wada S, Hobo S, Niwa H.To describe the number of cases, etiologies, healing times, and results of microbial culture and susceptibility testing of corneal ulcers in thoroughbred racehorses in Japan. Methods: Retrospective study of the medical records of racehorses belonging to the Japan Racing Association (JRA) from 1997 to 2008. Results: A total of 2846 horses suffered ulcerative keratitis. These horses accounted for 90.5% of all the corneal problems and 54.9% of the entire number of horses with ocular diseases. Running in races was the cause in 64.3% of the cases. The mean healing time of the ulcers developed in ra...
Kodaira K, Muranaka M, Naito H, Ode H, Oku K, Nukada T, Katayama Y.A 1-year-old male thoroughbred racehorse experienced swelling of the left upper lip. The swelling was attributable to enlargement around the incisive bone of the interdental space posterior to the third incisor in the left maxilla. Even after two operations to reduce the bulk of the mass, it continued to increase in size. Dyspnea caused by stenosis of the nasal cavity forced us to perform euthanasia, and a pathological examination was conducted. Macroscopic examination of a section of the mass revealed the formation of multiple areas of solid fibrous tissue, and trabeculae within the incisive ...
Diab S, Pascoe J, Shahriar M, Read D, Kinde H, Moore J, Odani J, Uzal F.There is increasing anecdotal evidence among horse owners, trainers and equine clinicians of a high prevalence of subepiglottic ulcers, suggested to have a negative effect on racing performance. Objective: To provide a prevalence study and pathological characterisation of laryngopharyngeal lesions with emphasis in the subepiglottic area and, in particular, subepiglottic ulcers. Methods: The study was carried out on 91 Thoroughbred racehorses received for post mortem examination from 4 major Southern California racetracks. The most common reason for submission was catastrophic musculoskeletal i...
Saulez MN, Godfroid J, Bosman A, Stiltner JL, Breathnach CC, Horohov DW.To determine concentrations of cytokine mRNA in horses with exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) after racing. Methods: 97 Thoroughbreds. Methods: Following tracheobronchoscopy, the severity of EIPH was graded (scale of 0 to 4), and venous blood samples were collected from 10 horses in each grade. After RNA isolation and cDNA synthesis, real-time PCR assay was conducted to detect cytokinespecific mRNA for interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and IL-10; interferon (INF)-gamma; and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. Results: Neither location nor grade of EIPH affected the expression of IL-1 and INF...
Vonaparti A, Lyris E, Panderi I, Koupparis M, Georgakopoulos C.Levodopa and dopamine have been abused as performance-altering substances in horse racing. Urinary 3-methoxytyramine is used as an indicator of dopaminergic manipulation resulting from dopamine or levodopa administration and is prohibited with a urinary threshold of 4 microg mL(-1) (free and conjugated). A simple liquid chromatographic (LC)/mass spectrometric (MS) (LCMS) method was developed and validated for the quantification and identification of 3-methoxytyramine in equine urine. Sample preparation involved enzymatic hydrolysis and protein precipitation. Hydrophilic interaction liquid chro...
Shah W.Medical Usage Rate (MUR) of Galway Races: The Galway Races is the most popular horse-racing festival in Ireland. It takes place for a week starting from the last Monday in July. The races are held at Ballybrit race course in Galway. During the 7 days of racing, about 180,000 people attend. The average temperature in Galway around that time of the year is around 15-200C. The aim of this study is to calculate the MUR of Galway Races and to develop a model to predict the MUR for Galway Races in future. The MUR of Galway Races is calculated by looking retrospectively at the medical records of the ...
Garrett KS, Pierce SW, Embertson RM, Stromberg AJ.OBJECTIVE-To determine the association between results of endoscopic evaluation of arytenoid function (AF) and epiglottic structure (ES) in Thoroughbred yearlings and racing performance at 2 to 4 years of age. DESIGN-Retrospective case series. ANIMALS-2,954 Thoroughbred yearlings. Procedures-Records of yearlings that had endoscopic evaluation of the larynx between 1998 and 2001 were obtained, and results were graded by use of standardized scales. A modified Havemeyer scale (grade I, II.1, II.2, III, or IV) was used to evaluate AF; ES was graded on a scale of 0 to IV. Records were annotated if ...
Byron CR, Benson BM, Karlin WM, Stewart AA.To report the use of a proximolateral endoscopic portal with a distolateral instrument portal for carpal retinaculum release in a horse clinically affected with carpal canal syndrome. Methods: Clinical report. Methods: A 4-year-old Thoroughbred female. Methods: Carpal canal syndrome secondary to traumatic suppurative tenosynovitis was treated by accessory carpal bone debridement and carpal retinaculum release using a tenoscopic approach to the carpal flexor synovial sheath through a proximolateral endoscope portal and a distolateral instrument portal. Results: Resolution of carpal sheath effus...
Toutain PL.In racing and other equine sports, it is possible to increase artificially both the physical capability and the presence of a competitive instinct, using drugs, such as anabolic steroids and agents stimulating the central nervous system. The word doping describes this illegitimate use of drugs and the primary motivation of an equine anti-doping policy is to prevent the use of these substances. However, an anti-doping policy must not impede the use of legitimate veterinary medications and most regulatory bodies in the world now distinguish the control of illicit substances (doping control) from...
Pearson W.Standardbred trainers from 1 racetrack and 7 off-track training facilities were surveyed to determine the most common drugs, and prevalence of concurrent herb administration. Furosemide (on-track) and anti-inflammatory drugs (off-track) were the most common drugs administered. Among horses on-track, 9.8% received herbs compared with 13.8% off-track horses; 67% and 58% of these horses, respectively, received concurrent drugs. Les soigneurs de Standardbreds de 1 piste de course et de 7 installations d’entraînement hors piste ont été interrogés afin de déterminer les médicaments les plus...
Jarrett M, Hibbert DB, Osborne R, Young EB.The analysis of total carbon dioxide (TCO(2)) in equine plasma is conventionally done in Australia and elsewhere using Beckman Synchron EL-ISE(R) analysers. This instrument is no longer being manufactured and has not been supported by the supplier since December 2008. For testing for TCO(2) to continue, it is necessary to evaluate and commission alternative instrumentation. In this paper, we compare the Beckman Synchron EL-ISE, the Beckman Synchron CX5, the Beckman UniCel DxC 600 and the Randox Daytona instruments. Results indicate that all four instruments perform in accordance with the manuf...
Ramzan PH, Powell SE.Sagittal fracture of the proximal phalanx (P1) is an important musculoskeletal injury of the performance horse. Although widely considered to be monotonic in nature, there is emerging evidence that some P1 fractures may have stress-injury aetiology. Three cases are described in which imaging features found were suggestive of prodromal bone injury. All cases returned to full performance use after a period of rest. The authors conclude that it is possible that some P1 fractures in the Thoroughbred racehorse may develop through stress/fatigue injury pathways. It is proposed that intervention prio...
Lotfollahzadeh S, Mokhber-Dezfouli MR, Tajik P, Bokaie S, Watson DG.The present survey evaluated the use of prohibited substances cases in the first 2 years of medication regulation in horseracing in Iran so that the impact of these regulations on the level of positive cases over the period could be assessed. Objective: To determine the prevalence of positive tests for prohibited substances in horse races during 2 years of a drugs testing programme in Iran. Methods: A total of 656 horses that were winners or second in races were tested during the 2 year study. In the first year 354 horses (209 males and 145 females) and in the second year 302 horses (155 males...
Utter ME, Wotman KL, Covert KR.REASONS FOR STUDY: The effect of unilateral enucleation on vision and potential loss of performance in horses has received little study. Objective: To evaluate the likelihood of return to prior discipline following unilateral enucleation in horses, assessing the role of age at enucleation, equine discipline, reason for enucleation, time to vision loss and eye enucleated. Objective: Unilateral enucleation has no significant effect on likelihood of return to work in horses, for both right and left eyes, across age and discipline. Methods: A retrospective review of medical records identified 92 h...
Neil KM, Axon JE, Begg AP, Todhunter PG, Adams PL, Fine AE, Caron JP, Adkins AR.To determine the clinical characteristics, short-term outcome and future athletic performance of foals with septic osteomyelitis. Methods: Retrospective clinical study of 108 Thoroughbred foals with radiographic evidence of bone infection that were presented at the Scone Veterinary Hospital between August 1995 and December 2001. Medical records were reviewed and information concerning signalment, the clinical, laboratory and radiographic findings, treatment and outcome was obtained. Racing records were obtained and evaluated for surviving foals that had reached racing age. Results: Mean age of...
Ortved KF, Cheetham J, Mitchell LM, Ducharme NG.Caudal descent of the larynx has been proposed to be associated with intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) as it leads to a loss of the seal between the epiglottis and soft palate but further investigation of this theory is required. Objective: To evaluate laryngohyoid position of horses with persistent DDSP in comparison to horses with intermittent DDSP and evaluate the outcome of treatment. Objective: Horses with persistent DDSP have a different laryngohyoid position compared to those with intermittent DDSP. Horses with persistent DDSP can be returned successfully to rac...
Zucca E, Ferrucci F, Stancari G, Saporiti T, Ferro E.Seven hundreds fifty-two Standardbreds, with poor performance, underwent a thorough diagnostic protocol. In 157 out of 233 horses, with cardiac murmurs, echocardiography and color flow Doppler (CFD) mapping were performed. Murmur of tricuspid valve regurgitation was identified in 185 horses, while murmurs of mitral (23), aortic (9) and pulmonary (3) valve regurgitations were detected less frequently. Functional systolic, functional pre-systolic, and functional early diastolic murmurs were identified in 10, 11 and 2 horses. Two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiography showed no abnormality in 14...
Michelotto PV, Muehlmann LA, Zanatta AL, Bieberbach EW, Fernandes LC, Nishiyama A.Inflammatory airway disease (IAD) is prevalent in young racehorses during training, being the 2nd most commonly diagnosed ailment interrupting training of 2-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses. Objective: That stabling and exercise cause oxidative stress, release of platelet-activating factor (PAF) and inflammation in airways of Thoroughbred colts. Methods: Colts in breeding farms (NC, n = 45), stabled for 30 days (EC, n = 40), and race trained (EX, n = 34). Methods: Cytological profile and parameters of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) related to oxidative stress, bioactivity of the proinflam...
Barakzai SZ, Finnegan C, Boden LA.There is contradictory published evidence on the potential efficacy of 'tongue ties' (TTs) for treatment of intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) in racehorses. Objective: To evaluate the effect of TTs on racing performance in Thoroughbred racehorses in the U.K. using a retrospective cohort study. Methods: Data on individual horses' lifetime racing performance and TT use were retrieved from the Racing Post Online Database. Exposed cases were horses that ran with a TT in randomly chosen race meetings on one of 60 randomly chosen dates from 2001-2003. Unexposed (control) hor...
Doughty A, Cross N, Robins A, Phillips CJ.There are ethical concerns regarding the loss of horses from various equine industries and their corresponding slaughter. However, to date, no empirical evidence regarding the extent of this loss, nor of the condition of horses involved, exists within Australia. Objective: To determine the approximate ages, brand type and condition of feet of horses relinquished to an export abattoir in Australia. Methods: Data were collected from 340 horses processed at an Australian abattoir from November 2007-January 2008. Foot abnormalities, injuries and hoof indicators of overgrown and untrimmed hooves we...
Ramzan PH, Palmer L.Musculoskeletal injury is the most common cause of lost training days in the young Thoroughbred horse in flat race training. To date, there has been little investigation of the regional patterns of injury frequently observed by clinicians in racehorse practice. The present study was conducted to determine incidence of musculoskeletal injuries in Thoroughbreds in training in Newmarket, United Kingdom. Veterinary records for all horses resident in three large (>100 horse) training yards were assessed for occurrence of significant musculoskeletal injury. A total of 248 injuries were recorded in 2...
Hill EW, Gu J, Eivers SS, Fonseca RG, McGivney BA, Govindarajan P, Orr N, Katz LM, MacHugh DE.Variants of the MSTN gene encoding myostatin are associated with muscle hypertrophy phenotypes in a range of mammalian species, most notably cattle, dogs, mice, and humans. Using a sample of registered Thoroughbred horses (n = 148), we have identified a novel MSTN sequence polymorphism that is strongly associated (g.66493737C>T, P = 4.85x10(-8)) with best race distance among elite racehorses (n = 79). This observation was independently validated (P = 1.91x10(-6)) in a resampled group of Thoroughbreds (n = 62) and in a cohort of Thoroughbreds (n = 37, P = 0.0047) produced by the same trainer...
Kwok WH, Leung DK, Leung GN, Wan TS, Wong CH, Wong JK.A rapid liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) method was developed for the simultaneous screening of 19 drugs of different classes in equine plasma using automated on-line solid-phase extraction (SPE) coupled with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Plasma samples were first protein precipitated using acetonitrile. After centrifugation, the supernatant was directly injected into the on-line SPE system and analysed by a triple quadrupole LC-MS-MS in positive electrospray ionisation (+ESI) mode with selected reaction monitoring (SRM) scan function. On-line extraction and c...
Paris DB, Stout TA.Cartilage and tendon injuries are a significant source of animal wastage and financial loss within the horse-racing industry. Moreover, both cartilage and tendon have limited intrinsic capacity for self-repair, and the functionally inferior tissue produced within a lesion may reduce performance and increase the risk of reinjury. Stem cells offer tremendous potential for accelerating and improving tissue healing, and adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are already used to treat cartilage and tendon injuries in horses. However, MSCs are scarce in the bone marrow isolates used, have limited poten...
Cleary OB, Trumble TN, Merritt KA, Brown MP.To investigate the effects of exercise and osteochondral injury on concentrations of carboxy-terminal telopeptide fragments of type II collagen (CTX-II) in synovial fluid (SF) and serum of Thoroughbred racehorses and to compare findings with radiographic and arthroscopic scores of joint injury severity. Methods: 78 Thoroughbreds with (n = 38) and without (40) osteochondral injury. Methods: Serum and metacarpophalangeal or carpal joint SF samples were collected from noninjured horses before and at the end of 5 to 6 months of race training (pre- and postexercise samples, respectively) and from h...
Bukowiecki CF, Bramlage LR, Gabel AA.Forty-eight limbs of 12 freshly euthanized horses were used to generate data on the strength of the equine suspensory apparatus. The point of failure of the suspensory apparatus of each limb was determined. Immediately before euthanasia, 6 of the 12 horses (thoroughbreds and standardbreds) had been engaged in active training or racing, and six horses in stall and/or pasture activity. In the actively training or racing horses, the point of acute failure of the suspensory apparatus was within the proximal sesamoid bones in 20 (83%) limbs (resulting in 17 apical fractures, 2 basilar fractures, an...
Dirikolu L, Lehner AF.Anabolic androgenic steroids are synthetic substances related to the male sex hormones (androgens). These agents promote the growth of skeletal muscle (anabolic effects) and the development of male sexual characteristics (androgenic effects). Anabolic steroids have been illegally used for many years as performance-enhancing drugs in human, equine, and canine sports and as growth promoters in livestock reared to provide meat for human consumption. The analytical challenge to developing effective means of control within these fields has been exacerbated by the reported endogenous nature of some ...
Martin GS.To evaluate effects of sex, fracture configuration, affected limb, and screw placement on outcome of Thoroughbreds with condylar fractures involving the third metacarpal or metatarsal bone. Methods: Cohort study. Animals-56 horses. Methods: Age, sex, affected limb, fracture configuration, fracture length, fracture fragment width, and distance of the most distal screw from the articular surface were analyzed in logistic regression models. Results: Females were more likely to have displaced fractures and race in fewer races after surgery than males. Sex and fracture configuration were associated...
Soma LR, Uboh CE.Furosemide has been used empirically and has been legally approved for many years by the US racing industry for the control of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) or bleeding. Its use in horses for this purpose is highly controversial and has been criticized by organizations outside and inside of the racing industry. This review concentrates on its renal and extra-renal actions and the possible relationship of these actions to the modification of EIPH and changes in performance of horses. The existing literature references suggest that furosemide has the potential of increasing perfo...
Kwak YB, Yu J, Im EJ, Jeong BS, Yoo HH.Cobalt is a substance that has been abused for athletic performance enhancement and has thus been prohibited by human and animal sports doping control authorities. However, because cobalt is present in humans and animals as a trace element, a certain level of cobalt is naturally present in their excretions. In the racing industry, cobalt is a controlled substance with a threshold concentration specified by the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering (IABRW) for international harmonization. Due to environmental and feed consumption differences among countries, regional cobalt c...
Kalisiak O.Flexor tendonitis and suspensory desmitis are among most prevalent musculoskeletal injuries observed in racehorses. The aim of this study was to determine which horse and race-related parameters can help to diminish the possibility of injury or--when injury has occurred--to evaluate the potential for the horse to continue a successful career after convalescence. Special attention was given to the comparison of Arabian and Thoroughbred racehorses. 187 horses with ultrasonographically visible lesions were included in the study. Following parameters were analyzed: structure (Superficial Digital F...
Sundman EA, Chigerwe M, Hunyadi LM.Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) and asthma in barrel racing horses is a common disease across the United States. Limited information is available on non-infectious respiratory diseases in this population, the interaction between these two diseases, and the occurrence of both EIPH and asthma in the horse. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid cytological results of barrel racing horses with EIPH, asthma, or both. A retrospective study was conducted using the medical records of horses that presented with cough and decreased athletic perform...
Tavanaeimanesh H, Dashli-Boroon OJ, Corley K.Understanding the physiological and biochemical changes in racehorses can be invaluable. Accurate information in this area could result in better understanding of needs of sport horses. The aim of this study was to prove the hypothesis that biochemical changes could influence the outcome of competitions. In this study, β-endorphin was evaluated as an indicator of analgesia, lactate as an indicator of fatigue and cortisol as an indicator of stress in the first two horses and the last ones that cross the finish line. This study was performed on 44 horses participating in the 1000-meter national...
Lester G, Clark C, Rice B, Steible-Hartless C, Vetro-Widenhouse T.To examine effect of pre-exercise administration of furosemide (FUR) on mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) during work and RBC concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) collected 40 minutes after exercise. Methods: 10 adult Thoroughbreds. Methods: A modified 10 X 10 crossover design comprising 10 horses during 10 weeks was used. Each horse received each of 5 treatments twice. Treatment structure included a control plus a 2 X 2 factorial and consisted of the following: A, control; B, FUR, 250 mg, IV, 30 minutes before exercise; C, FUR, 250 mg, IV, 240 minutes before exercise; D, ...
Kodaira K, Muranaka M, Naito H, Ode H, Oku K, Nukada T, Katayama Y.A 1-year-old male thoroughbred racehorse experienced swelling of the left upper lip. The swelling was attributable to enlargement around the incisive bone of the interdental space posterior to the third incisor in the left maxilla. Even after two operations to reduce the bulk of the mass, it continued to increase in size. Dyspnea caused by stenosis of the nasal cavity forced us to perform euthanasia, and a pathological examination was conducted. Macroscopic examination of a section of the mass revealed the formation of multiple areas of solid fibrous tissue, and trabeculae within the incisive ...
Journal of biomechanicsNovember 1, 2022
Volume 145 111364 doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2022.111364
Pfau T, Bruce O, Brent Edwards W, Leguillette R.Changes in gallop stride parameters prior to injury have been documented previously in Thoroughbred racehorses. Validating solutions for quantification of fundamental stride parameters is important for large scale studies investigating injury related factors. This study describes a fast Fourier transformation-based method for extracting stride frequency (SF) values from speed fluctuations recorded with a standalone GPS-logger suitable for galloping horses. Limits of agreement with SF values derived from inertial measurement unit (IMU) pitch data are presented. Twelve Thoroughbred horses were i...
Gray BP, Biddle S, Pearce CM, Hillyer L.Fluticasone propionate (FP) is an anti-inflammatory agent with topical and inhaled applications commonly used in the treatment of asthma in steroid-dependent individuals. The drug is used in racehorses to treat Inflammatory Airway Disease; this work was performed in order to advise on its use and detect potential misuse close to racing. Methods were developed for the extraction and analysis of FP from horse plasma and a carboxylic acid metabolite (FP-17βCOOH) from horse urine. The methods utilize ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) in ...
MacKinnon MC, Bonder D, Boston RC, Ross MW.There is limited information regarding the impact of training track surface on the occurrence of stress fractures. Objective: To evaluate the impact of training track surface on the proportion of long bone and pelvic stress fractures associated with lameness in Thoroughbred horses in flat race training undergoing nuclear scintigraphic examination. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Scintigraphic examinations of Thoroughbred flat racehorses were evaluated from 2 hospitals (hospital A [Toronto Equine Hospital], 2003-2009, and hospital B [George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals, Scho...
Soroko M, Howell K, Dudek K, Waliczek A, Micek P, Flaga J.The aim of the study was to determine the utility of maximum eye temperature measured by infrared thermography (IRT) as a stress indicator compared with plasma cortisol concentration in Thoroughbred and Arabian racehorses. The study included thirty racehorses undergoing standard training for racing. Measurements of maximum eye temperature and blood collection for plasma cortisol concentration were carried out before training (BT), and within 5 (5AT) and 120 minutes (120AT) after the end of the each training session in three repetitions, with a monthly interval. Both parameters were elevated at...
Özen D, Kaya U, Özen H, Ambarcioğlu P, Ünal N, Gürcan İS.The aim of this research was to determine the average length of a Thoroughbred horse's racing career in Turkey using survival functions of Thoroughbred horses with various characteristics. In addition, the aim was to identify risk factors that could influence the duration of a Thoroughbred horse's racing career and develop a survival model that took these factors into account. A total of 11,721 Thoroughbred horses born in 2007 and later were included in the study population. The horses involved in the study were followed for a minimum of 1 year. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to calculate the ...
Moulin N, François I, Coté N, Alford C, Cleary O, Desjardins MR.Despite the recommendation of plate fixation for propagating condylar fractures of the third metacarpal (McIII) or third metatarsal bone (MtIII), lag screw fixation can be a viable surgical option. Objective: To evaluate short-term outcome and long-term racing performance of horses that underwent lag screw fixation of long condylar fractures of the McIII/MtIII. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Medical records, post-surgical racing performance and outcome of 26 horses with propagating fractures of the medial and/or lateral condyle of McIII/MtIII were reviewed. Medical information in...
Forro M, Lindinger MI.Frusemide (Lasix) is commonly used diuretic in horse racing and equine clinical practice. While pharmacology, pharmacodynamics, renal and haematological effects of frusemide have been studied in horses, its effects on the distribution of fluid within the horse remain unknown. Objective: To quantify the effects of frusemide on extracellular and intracellular fluid shifts. Methods: Horses were infused with 1 mg/kg body mass (n = 7) or 2 mg/kg (n = 9) i.v. frusemide. Total body water (TBW), extracellular fluid volume (ECFV) and plasma volume (PV) were measured using D2O, NaSCN and Evans blue dilu...
O'Sullivan CB, Lumsden JM.To determine clinical characteristics of and outcome in Thoroughbred racehorses with tibial or humeral stress fractures. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 99 Thoroughbreds with tibial or humeral stress fractures. Methods: Information obtained from the medical records included history, signalment, and clinical, radiographic, and scintigraphic findings. Outcome was determined by interviewing trainers, performing follow-up examinations, and analyzing race records. Results: Seventy-four tibial stress fractures were identified in 61 Thoroughbreds, and 48 humeral stress fractures were identifie...
Wong AS, Ho EN, Wan TS, Lam KK, Stewart BD.Bisphosphonates are used in the management of skeletal disorder in humans and horses, with tiludronic acid being the first licensed veterinary medicine in the treatment of lameness associated with degenerative joint disease. Bisphosphonates are prohibited in horseracing according to Article 6 of the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering (published by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities). In order to control the use of bisphosphonates in equine sports, an effective method to detect the use of bisphosphonates is required. Bisphosphonates are difficult-to-de...
Flash ML, Wong ASM, Stevenson MA, Gilkerson JR.Currently, there is a paucity of data on the barriers for Australian Thoroughbred horses transitioning from stud farm to racetrack. This paper reports the reasons why horses failed to enter race training and documents their exit destinations. Biographical records of Australian Thoroughbred horses born in 2014 were investigated to determine the number of horses that had not officially entered race training by the start of the 4-year old racing season (1 August 2018). Of the 13,677 foals born in 2014, 66% had commenced training and 51% had raced before the beginning of their 4-year-old season in...
Gabel AA, Spencer CP, Pipers FS.The distal radial physes of 113 two-year-old Standardbreds were radiographed an average of 2.6 times each during an average of 4.72 +/- 1.7 months, beginning May 1, 1975. The radiograph of each physis was graded C, B-, B, B+, or A (closed), and the date of closure was determined by a method that proved to be reliable. The average age of closure of the distal radial physes was 29.8 +/- 1.6 months, with age of closure ranging from 26 to 35 months. There were no statistical differences between age of physeal closure of colts, geldings, or fillies; pacers or trotters; "well-bred" or other horses, ...
Hellings IR, Krontveit R, Øverlie M, Kallmyr A, Holm T, Fintl C.Elevated cardiac troponin T (cTnT) concentrations may provide evidence of myocardial injury but physiological post-exercise release also occurs. Reference intervals are not fully established in horses making interpretation difficult. The aims of this study were to establish an upper reference limit for serum cTnT, compare pre-and post-race serum cTnT concentrations, and to evaluate factors that may influence these in a population of healthy, race-fit Standardbred racehorses. Serum samples were collected pre- (n = 108) and 1-2 h post-racing (n = 101) and analysed using a high sensitivity-cTnT a...
Speirs VC, van Veenendaal JC, Harrison IW, Smyth GB, Anderson GA, Wilson DV, Gilbo B.Endoscopic examinations of the upper respiratory tract were done on 92 of 314 Standardbred horses that raced one or more times at 4 consecutive, weekly race meetings. Although participation was voluntary, the characteristics of the population of horses examined were not statistically different from those of all horses that raced. No horse showed epistaxis, but 34 (32.4%) examinations of the trachea revealed blood that ranged from a trace in the tracheal mucus to large amounts scattered over the tracheal walls. Forty-four horses exhibited minor degrees of pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia, 2 had ...
Marsiglia MF, Yamada ALM, Agreste FR, de Sá LRM, Nieman RT, da Silva LCLC.Racehorses are exposed to repetitive overload during training and competition, causing joint hyperextension, tissue fatigue, and ultimately skeletal failure. Some degree of bone changes, such as sclerosis, are expected in equine athletes, as adaptation to the biomechanical rigors of training and racing. Understanding the imaging characteristics of the equine joint surface and subchondral bone would allow earlier detection of injuries or adaptation, improving prognosis and training programs. This study sought to describe the joint surface structural patterns and the periarticular structures of ...
Trigg LE, Lyons S, Mullan S.The development of exertional heat illness (EHI) is a health, welfare and performance concern for racehorses. However, there has been limited multivariable assessment of the possible risk factors for EHI in racehorses, despite such information being vital for regulators to effectively manage the condition. Consequently, this study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with the occurrence of EHI in Thoroughbred racehorses and assess the ability of the risk factor model to predict the occurrence of EHI in racehorses to assist in early identification. Runners at British racecourses record...
Utter ME, Wotman KL, Covert KR.REASONS FOR STUDY: The effect of unilateral enucleation on vision and potential loss of performance in horses has received little study. Objective: To evaluate the likelihood of return to prior discipline following unilateral enucleation in horses, assessing the role of age at enucleation, equine discipline, reason for enucleation, time to vision loss and eye enucleated. Objective: Unilateral enucleation has no significant effect on likelihood of return to work in horses, for both right and left eyes, across age and discipline. Methods: A retrospective review of medical records identified 92 h...
Findley JA, O'Neill HD, Bladon BM.A triangular screw configuration has been suggested as preferable for repair of sagittal fractures of the proximal phalanx. Objective: To assess the outcome of a triangular screw construct for repair of incomplete and complete minimally displaced proximal phalanx fractures under standing sedation in a population of Thoroughbred racehorses, compared with a cohort repaired using a linear screw configuration. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Medical records and radiographs were accessed to garner clinical data. Date of return to racing was determined from www.racingpost.com. Survival...
Ribeiro Neto LM, Spinosa HS, Salvadori MC.Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid drug widely used in racehorses because of its anti-inflammatory effect. It is, therefore, frequently detected in antidoping tests. A method for the antidoping control of dexamethasone in equine urine using screening by ELISA and confirmation by immunoaffinity chromatography combined with reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) is described. The ELISA test is frequently used in antidoping tests for its sensitivity, relative speed, and low cost. The test showed linearity in the range of 4-500 ng/mL of urine, and the...
Wilson B, Jones B, McGreevy P.The use of whips in racing is subject to current debate, not least because the prospect that fatigued horses cannot respond renders the practice futile and inhumane. The racing industries maintain whip use is a form of encouragement and that the rules of racing that govern whip use safeguard horse welfare. The current study examined longitudinal trends in the frequency of medium and fast race winning times in Australian harness racing between September 2007 and August 2016 to explore relationships with a series of changes that moderated whip use. The first change, introduced January 2010, mode...
Bailly-Chouriberry L, Chu-Van E, Pinel G, Garcia P, Popot MA, André-Fontaine G, Bonnaire Y, Le Bizec B.Since the Australian commercialisation of the recombinant equine growth hormone (reGH) in 1998 (EquiGen-5), Bresagen), this reGH, which differs only from eGH by an additional methionine at the N-terminal end (met-eGH), is worldwide suspected to be administered to racehorses as a doping agent. Indeed, the use of this biological drug is considered as a threat to horseracing since it acts both on growth, development or reproductive functions, and on the improvement of performances. In this work, we describe two reliable techniques based on surface plasmon resonance biosensor immunoassay (SPR-BIA)...
