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.
Tobin T, Harkins JD, Sams RA.Proper veterinary care of horses requires that horses in training have access to modern therapeutic medication. However, the sensitivity of equine drug testing now allows for detection of pharmacologically insignificant concentrations of many therapeutic medications. In 1995, the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) resolved that members 'address trace level detection so as not to lead to disciplinary action based on pharmacologically insignificant traces of these substances'. The rationale behind this approach is to prevent overly-sensitive testing from inhibiting the prop...
Bouré L, Marcoux M, Laverty S, Lepage OM.To develop a technique for arthroscopic excision of apical sesamoid fracture fragments using electrocautery probes. Methods: A total of 18 Standardbred horses. Methods: Arthroscopic removal of apical sesamoid fracture fragments using both hook and loop electrocautery probes was performed on 18 Standardbred horses. The fracture fragments were approached using either an ipsilateral (3) or contralateral (15) arthroscopic triangulation technique. Distension of the metacarpo- (metatarso)-phalangeal joints was achieved using a 1.5% glycine solution. Under arthroscopic guidance, both the suspensory a...
Dallap BL, Bramlage LR, Embertson RM.The purpose of this study was to evaluate screw fixation with cortical drilling as a surgical treatment for dorsal cortical stress fractures of MCIII in the Thoroughbred racehorse. Details of age, sex, limb affected, fracture assessment, and post operative recommendations were obtained from medical records and radiographs. Fracture healing was assessed radiographically at the time of screw removal. Performance evaluation was determined from race records obtained from The Jockey Club Information System, Lexington, Kentucky. Fifty-six Thoroughbred racehorses were treated surgically for stress fr...
Woodie JB, Ruggles AJ, Bertone AL, Hardy J, Schneider RK.To determine whether fracture fragment dimensions, suspensory ligament damage, and racing status at the time of injury were associated with outcome in Standardbred horses with apical fracture of the proximal sesamoid bone. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 43 Standardbred racehorses. Methods: Medical records, racing records, and radiographs were reviewed, and ultrasonographic findings were scored. Measurements of the fractured portion of the proximal sesamoid bone were made. Results: Seventy-four percent (32/43) of horses were pacers, and 26% (11/43) were trotters. Statistical differences...
Pick M.After a brief introduction to the most important aspects of the current sport of horse-racing the equipment and tack will be described with respect to the horses wellbeing: bridles, tonguestrap, blinkers, saddle and girth. With reference to incorrect equipment for the rider, the wip and its misuse will be discussed. Problems with saddling and at the starting gate are often indicators of the incorrect application of aids. Then the misuse of the automatic horse trainer, treadmills and swimmingpools will be explained. Finally, the three most important requirements for improving the protection of ...
Müller C.During the last years, trotting races met with massive criticism, because some of the numerous items of equipment were not to be reconciled with animal protection. In March 1998, the Trotting Association (HVT), as well as the list of authorized equipment. The so-called "positive list" includes harnesses, bridles, bits, auxiliary reins, driving reins, whips and other aids, among other things brushing boots, ear-muffs and head-pole. Especially criticized items are submitted to an assessment according to the present animal protection law. Moreover, possibilities are shown to make positive conditi...
Dabareiner RM, White NA.A 9-year-old Thoroughbred was evaluated for clinical signs of acute abdominal pain. During laparotomy, a rent in the diaphragm and herniation of the small intestine into the thoracic cavity were detected. Because edges of the rent were smooth and fibrous, which suggested the defect was chronic, the abdomen was closed without repairing the rent. After recurrence of clinical signs, a second laparotomy was performed, during which the intestines were found to have reherniated. The diaphragmatic rent was repaired, using a polypropylene mesh secured with stainless steel staples. The horse recovered ...
Zekas LJ, Ramirez S, Brown MP.Left dorsal displacement of the large colon was diagnosed in a 3-year-old Thoroughbred gelding. Conservative treatment that included lunging after administration of phenylephrine and rolling while under general anesthesia was not successful. The displaced segment of colon was reduced surgically through a ventral midline incision, but displacement recurred 4 days after surgery. Ablation of the nephrosplenic space by suturing the nephrosplenic ligament to the splenic capsule was performed through the left flank. At followup 1 year after surgery, the horse had not had further signs of colic and h...
Berg AL, Dörries R, Berg M.Borna disease virus (BDV) is a neurotropic agent with capacity to infect and cause neurological disease in a broad range of warmblooded hosts including horses, sheep, cattle, cats, and possibly also humans. The epidemiology of BDV is largely unknown. However, it is likely that subclinically infected animals may represent potential virus reservoirs. In two groups of Swedish racing horses, one clinically healthy and one consisting of horses with diffuse neurological signs, the BDV seroprevalence was 24.5% and 57.7%, respectively. BDV RNA was detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in 8 ou...
Ronéus N, Essén-Gustavsson B, Lindholm A, Persson S.Blood samples from the jugular vein and muscle biopsies (gluteus medius) in 25 Standardbred trotters were obtained 5-10 min after racing. The biopsies were analysed for fibre type composition and enzymatic profile and blood samples for plasma lactate and ammonia concentrations. Muscle characteristics, plasma lactate and ammonia concentrations after racing were compared with each horse's individual performance index (IPI). The IPI is calculated annually from the individual horse's racing performance (% placing 1, 2 or 3, total annual earnings, average earning per start, and best racing record),...
Couroucé A.This review considers standardized exercise testing which is, routinely used for French Trotters in the field. Track testing provides a more limited range of measurements than treadmill testing, but has the advantage of being performed in the horse's natural environment. Various measurements such as heart rate during exercise and blood lactate concentration after exercise may be measured on the track and lead to the calculation of physiological variables such as V200 (velocity corresponding to a 200 bpm heart rate) and V4 (velocity corresponding to a 4 mmol/L blood lactate concentration). V4 i...
More SJ.To develop a profile of the racing careers of Thoroughbred horses in south-eastern Queensland, and to examine factors that affect racing during the first years of racing. Methods: A longitudinal study using the racing records of a defined cohort of Thoroughbred horses that were born on or within 12 months following 1 August 1991. Data collection commenced in 1996 and will continue until all horses cease racing. In this paper two measures of performance were examined: race earnings during the first year of racing and cumulative proportion of horses still racing up to 2 years after their first s...
Haussler KK, Stover SM, Willits NH.To describe the prevalence, characteristics, and severity of soft-tissue and osseous lesions in the caudal portion of the thoracic and lumbosacral vertebral column and pelvis in Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: 36 Thoroughbred racehorses that died or were euthanatized at California racetracks between October 1993 and July 1994. Methods: Lumbosacral and pelvic specimens were collected and visually examined for soft-tissue and osseous lesions. Results: Acute sacroiliac joint injury was observed in 2 specimens. Signs of chronic laxity or subluxation of the sacroiliac joint were not observed in a...
Barrey E.Over the last 30 years, the increase in interest in horses for racing and riding activities has stimulated scientific research in equine locomotion. This paper presents a review of the measurement methods and their applications used to assess equine locomotion. After describing gaits and velocity-related changes in stride variables, the current applications of gait analysis are presented. The economic consequences of lameness justifies the great effort now being put into lameness quantification and prevention. To improve breeding and reduce the costs of training, early performance evaluation t...
Lucas JM, Ross MW, Richardson DW.A retrospective study of 176 Standardbred horses that had arthroscopic surgery for carpal chip fractures over a 7 year period was done in order to determine fracture location and post operative performance. Chip fractures of the proximal third carpal bone and the distal radiocarpal bone occurred with equal frequency (49.2 and 49.6% respectively), and chip fractures involving the antebrachiocarpal joint were rare. Trotters had significantly more third carpal bone lesions than radiocarpal bone lesions when compared to pacers (P = 0.0304). Seventy-four per cent of horses made at least one start f...
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, ...
Kane AJ, Stover SM, Gardner IA, Bock KB, Case JT, Johnson BJ, Anderson ML, Barr BC, Daft BM, Kinde H, Larochelle D, Moore J, Mysore J, Stoltz J....To evaluate hoof size, shape, and balance as risk factors for catastrophic musculoskeletal injuries (CMI), including suspensory apparatus failure (SAF) and cannon bone condylar fracture (CDY) in Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: 95 Thoroughbred racehorses that died between 1994 and 1996. Methods: 38 quantitative measures of hoof size, shape, and balance were obtained from orthogonal digital images of the hoof and were compared between case horses with forelimb CMI (70), SAF (43), and CDY (10) injuries and control horses whose death was unrelated to the musculoskeletal system (non-CMI, 25). Com...
Bailey CJ, Reid SW, Hodgson DR, Bourke JM, Rose RJ.A retrospective case-control study was conducted to identify and quantify risk factors for serious musculoskeletal injury sustained at 4 Australian metropolitan racetracks. During the period of study (August 1988-July 1995) there were 196 cases from flat racing, 52 cases from hurdle racing and 53 cases from steeplechases. The incidences of fatal musculoskeletal injuries per start for flat, hurdle and steeple races were 0.06, 0.63 and 1.43% respectively. Logistic regression identified harder track surfaces, horses being older than age 3 years, one racecourse (Flemington) and jumping races as si...
Ohnesorge B, Deegen E.From 1995 to 1997 11 racehorses, one Hanoverian and one Pony were presented to the clinic with a sudden appearing, very loudly gurgling expiratory respiratory noise. Considering the preliminary report and the clinical and endoscopical findings, as exercise induced dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) was found to be the cause of the respiratory noise. The 13 horses were treated in general anaesthesia by transendoscopic coagulation of the caudal margin of the soft palate with a Neodym-YAG-Laser. This surgical intervention had to be repeated on four horses with unchanged signs. Eight of...
Garbís SD, Hanley L, Kalita S.Thiazide-based diuretics are included in the list of banned drugs in the horse-racing industry. One effect of their misuse is increased urine flow, contributing to dilution of other doping agents. Their determination is essential in ensuring compliance to horse-racing regulation. This study evaluates the feasibility of using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) with electrospray and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization interfaces to analyze thiazidic diuretics in equine urine samples. Existing LC and gas chromatography/MS methods are limited in their applicability to thiazide an...
Stang BV, Koller LD.To establish baseline information on neopterin concentrations in livestock, companion and laboratory animals and identify the factors that may influence these concentrations, blood samples were taken from normal dairy cattle, horses, llamas, dogs, cats and rats of varying ages and sexes. In addition, neopterin concentrations in normal, adult equines were compared with those found in racing Thoroughbreds. There were no differences due to sex, sexual maturity, pregnancy, castration, or age. For all ages and sexes combined, mean neopterin concentrations were significantly lower in llamas (2.27+/-...
Haussler KK, Stover SM.Thirty-six Thoroughbred racehorses that died at California racetracks between October 1993 and July 1994 were evaluated for stress fractures in the caudal portion of the thoracic and lumbosacral regions of the spine and the pelvis. The lumbosacral spine and pelvis were collected, debrided of soft tissues and examined visually for the presence of an incomplete fracture line and focal periosteal proliferation, characteristic of a stress fracture. Sixty-one per cent of specimens had evidence of stress fracture in the caudal portion of the thoracic and lumbosacral regions of the spine and the pelv...
Pinkowski W, Mohr E, Krzywanek H.During training, in 10 trotters, blood samples from the vena jugularis were taken before and after a heat with 80% of maximum capability as well as in the recovery period. Lactic acid concentration and pH-value, haematocrit and haemoglobin content, as well as protein concentration and osmolality were measured. With the exception of protein concentration, the time course of the values during the recovery could be described by simple mathematical models (biexponential or exponential equations). Only in the case of blood lactate concentration, the basal value was not yet achieved 120 min after th...
Ainsworth DM, Eicker SW, Yeagar AE, Sweeney CR, Viel L, Tesarowski D, Lavoie JP, Hoffman A, Paradis MR, Reed SM, Erb HN, Davidow E, Nalevanko M.To determine whether physical examination, laboratory, or radiographic abnormalities in foals with Rhodococcus equi infection were associated with survival, ability to race at least once after recovery, or, for foals that survived and went on to race, subsequent racing performance. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 49 Thoroughbreds and 66 Standardbreds admitted to 1 of 6 veterinary teaching hospitals between 1984 and 1992 in which R equi infection was positively diagnosed. Methods: Results of physical examination, laboratory testing, and thoracic radiography were reviewed. Indices of raci...
Meyer TS, Fedde MR, Gaughan EM, Langsetmo I, Erickson HH.Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) causes serious economic losses in the horse racing industry. Endoscopic examination indicates that 40-90% of horses exhibit EIPH following sprint exercise, but the limitations of the endoscope prevent diagnosis in many horses. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was utilised to detect red blood cells (RBCs) in the terminal airways in 6 horses. Two lavages were performed at weekly intervals prior to exercise, one within 90 min after exercise, and 5 at weekly intervals after exercise. The horses were exercised strenuously at 12.5-14.6 m/s on a treadmill (3 ...
Fedde MR, Erickson HH.Blood was taken from 49 Thoroughbred horses before and after racing at the track to determine if frusemide modified the apparent viscosity of the blood and to determine the effects of changes in shear rate and packed cell volume (PCV), associated with strenuous exercise, on apparent and relative viscosities. Small increases in apparent viscosity of the blood (at a specified PCV and shear rate) occurred in horses given frusemide compared to those receiving no frusemide; however, no differences were seen in relative viscosity. Although 2 groups of horses, those receiving frusemide before racing ...
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...
Watt BC, Foerner JJ, Haines GR.To describe incomplete oblique sagittal dorsal cortical fractures of the equine third metacarpal bone, their surgical repair, and subsequent performance of the horses. Methods: Retrospective examination of medical records and racing performance. Methods: Six Thoroughbred race horses, 2 to 4 years of age. Methods: Radiographic confirmation of all fractures preceded general anesthesia and surgical correction. Three fractures were treated by intracortical compression using screws placed in lag fashion, and five fractures were treated by osteostixis. Race records were reviewed for each horse to de...
Woods WE, Wang CJ, Houtz PK, Tai HH, Wood T, Weckman TJ, Yang JM, Chang SL, Blake JW, Tobin T.A one step enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a particle concentration fluorescent immunoassay (PCFIA) test for furosemide were evaluated as part of a panel of pre- and post-race tests for illegal medication of racing horses. These tests are very sensitive to furosemide with an I-50 for furosemide of about 20 ng/ml. The test is also rapid; an average pre-race complement of 10 samples can be analyzed in 90 minutes or less. The ELISA test results can be read with an inexpensive spectrophotometer, or even by eye. Both the PCFIA test and the ELISA test readily detect the presence of fur...
Fitzharris LE, Hezzell MJ, McConnell AK, Allen KJ.Little is known about the response of the equine respiratory muscles to training. Objective: To measure an index of inspiratory muscle strength (IMSi) before and after a period of conventional exercise training (phase 1) and inspiratory muscle training (IMT), comparing high-load (treatment) and low-load (control) groups (phase 2). Methods: Prospective randomised controlled trial. Methods: Phase 1: Twenty National Hunt Thoroughbred racehorses performed an inspiratory muscle strength test (IMST) twice on two occasions; when unfit at timepoint A (July), and when race fit at timepoint B (October)....
Horan K, Price H, Day P, Mackechnie-Guire R, Pfau T.Injuries to racehorses and their jockeys are not limited to the racetrack and high-speed work. To optimise racehorse-jockey dyads' health, well-being, and safety, it is important to understand their kinematics under the various exercise conditions they are exposed to. This includes trot work on roads, turf and artificial surfaces when accessing gallop tracks and warming up. This study quantified the forelimb hoof kinematics of racehorses trotting over tarmac, turf and artificial surfaces as their jockey adopted rising and two-point seat positions. A convenience sample of six horses was recruit...
Costa MF, Ronchi FA, Ivanow A, Carmona AK, Casarini D, Slocombe RF.Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage has an impact on racehorse performance. Although endoscopic diagnosis (with or without the aid of bronchoalveolar lavage) is considered to be the standard diagnostic method for this condition, the use of biomarkers that could aid in quantifying risk and severity of the condition would represent an advance in equine sport medicine. This preliminary research investigated the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity in plasma of racehorses and demonstrated that ACE activity is increased in horses with higher degrees of haemorrhage and is a promisi...
Steel CM, Collins VL, Hance SR, Adkins AR, Hitchens PL.Veterinarians are required to interpret the significance of radiographic findings for sale, soundness and future racing performance of weanling and yearling Thoroughbreds. We investigated the prevalence and radiographic appearance of slab fractures of the third (T3) and central tarsal (Tc) bones. Methods: Weanling and yearling horses with complete or incomplete T3 or Tc fracture were identified by searching a database of radiographs. The prevalence and radiographic appearance at initial diagnosis and after continued pasture turnout, as well as prognosis for racing, of fractures of T3 and Tc we...
Carstanjen B, Lepage OM, Hars O, Langlois P, Duboeuf F, Amory H.The purpose of this longitudinal in-field study was to evaluate the influence of exercise, age, and gender on superficial cortical bone of the third metacarpal bone (MC III) in young Thoroughbreds by measuring speed of sound (SOS) values with an axial transmission technique (Omnisense, Sunlight Ltd, Israel). Both MC III of 75 racehorses, 2 to 4 years old, were monitored with SOS measurements in 5- to 7-week intervals during a 9- month physical exercise period. Medical data and training programs (slow gallop, canter, and high-speed work) of each horse were recorded. SOS measurements began befor...
Lloyd DR, Rose RJ.Sodium bicarbonate given by nasogastric tube has been used by some trainers as the key ingredient in a 'milkshake'. It has been suggested that such treatment given 3-5 h prior to racing may enhance a horse's racing performance by increasing the blood buffering capacity and enhancing lactate clearance from skeletal muscle, thereby delaying the onset of fatigue. Several experiments were conducted to examine the effects on fluid, electrolyte and acid-base values of 0.5 g kg-1 dose of sodium bicarbonate, were examined. The effects of fasting, the simultaneous administration of glucose (0.5 g kg-1)...
Fedde MR, Erickson HH.Blood was taken from 49 Thoroughbred horses before and after racing at the track to determine if frusemide modified the apparent viscosity of the blood and to determine the effects of changes in shear rate and packed cell volume (PCV), associated with strenuous exercise, on apparent and relative viscosities. Small increases in apparent viscosity of the blood (at a specified PCV and shear rate) occurred in horses given frusemide compared to those receiving no frusemide; however, no differences were seen in relative viscosity. Although 2 groups of horses, those receiving frusemide before racing ...
Strand E, Martin GS, Haynes PF, McClure JR, Vice JD.To compare racing performance before and after prosthetic laryngoplasty for treatment of laryngeal neuropathy in inexperienced and experienced Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 52 Thoroughbred racehorses treated with prosthetic laryngoplasty for laryngeal neuropathy. Methods: Lifetime race records were analyzed by use of a verified regression model. Individual race records and hospital records were also reviewed. Results: Experienced horses had a decline in performance, as measured by performance index, earnings percentage, and mean prediction error, during the 6-...
Takeyama T, Sasaki N.Thoracic spinous process osseous changes in horses occur due to riding-induced back compression. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the findings of thoracic spinous process osseous changes on radiographic imaging and conformation based on the difference in over-riding of the dorsal spinous processes in racing horses. This study included 55 sports horses. The hardness of the back muscles (the multifidus, longissimi, and latissimi collectively) was measured, and the horses were divided into two groups: low muscle hardness (n = 16) and high muscle hardness (n = 39). We conf...
Legg KA, Gee EK, Breheny M, Gibson MJ, Rogers CW.The Thoroughbred racing industry faces new and competing pressures to operate within a modern, changing society. Three major moderators drive the focus and productivity of the industry worldwide: economic sustainability, horse biology and social licence to operate. This review proposes that despite the apparent homogeneity in the structure of racing across jurisdictions due to international regulation of the sport, there are significant differences within each jurisdiction in each of the three moderators. This creates challenges for the comparison of injury risk factors for racehorses within t...
Brown MP, Trumble TN, Merritt KA.To investigate effects of osteochondral injury on high-mobility group box chromosomal protein 1 (HMGB-1) concentrations in synovial fluid (SF) from Thoroughbreds and to compare these results with radiographic and arthroscopic scores of severity of joint injury. Methods: 40 clinically normal rested Thoroughbreds (group 1) and 45 Thoroughbreds with osteochondral injury as a result of racing. Methods: SF was obtained from the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints, metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints, middle carpal joints, and radiocarpal joints. For group 2, radiographic and arthroscopic scores were dete...
Lloyd D, Johanson C, Phillips TJ.Minimally displaced condylar fractures propagating into the third metatarsal diaphysis were treated conservatively in one thoroughbred and two Arabian racehorses. In each case a neuroleptanalgesic protocol provided adequate pain relief for a rigid fibreglass cast to be applied in a weight-bearing position. The fractures healed completely and the three horses recovered uneventfully. Two of them returned successfully to racing and the third was used for breeding.
Rose RJ, Davis PE.A 4-year-old thoroughbred stallion with a history of loss of racing form was studied over a period of approximately 7 months. At the initial examination he showed positive T waves in 1 chest lead and wandering of the pacemaker. This was followed by an episode of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation which disappeared spontaneously and was replaced by significant T wave changes in all the chest leads. During a period when these changes persisted, there was progressive lengthening of the P wave and the P-R interval. Because the last ECG showed evidence of intra-atrial block, first degree A-V block and ...
Korhonen PA, Lilius EM, Hyyppä S, Räsänen LA, Pösö AR.Six trained Standardbred trotters exercised on a racetrack on 2 days with a 3-day interval. On both exercise days the horses trotted three different exercise bouts with increasing intensity with 60-min intervals. Exercise-induced stress was manifested as leucocytosis, an increase in the neutrophil:lymphocyte (N:L) ratio, and increased capacity to produce reactive oxygen species in the peripheral blood as indicated by an increase in whole blood chemiluminescence. The leucocytosis was mainly due to neutrophilia, which lasted for 6 h. Production of reactive oxygen species per single neutrophil sh...
Philip M, Karakka Kal AK, Subhahar MB, Karatt TK, Mathew B, Perwad Z, Graiban FM, Caveney MR, Sayed R, Kadry AM.According to previous research, aminorex is the major metabolite of levamisole; however, in the screening of levamisole-positive racehorse urine and plasma samples, aminorex could only be detected in trace amounts or not at all. In forensic laboratories, hydroxy levamisole and its phase II conjugates make it easier to confirm levamisole misuse and to differentiate between the abuse of levamisole and aminorex. This study aimed to identify the major levamisole metabolites that can be detected along with the parent drug. Methods: The study describes levamisole and its metabolites in thoroughbred ...
Mori M, Ichibangase T, Yamashita S, Kijima-Suda I, Kawahara M, Imai K.In the doping tests currently used in horse racing, prohibited substances or their metabolites are usually directly detected in urine or blood samples. However, despite their lasting pharmaceutical effects, some prohibited substances are rapidly eliminated from horse urine and blood, making them difficult to detect. Therefore, new indirect biomarkers for doping, such as plasma proteins that are increased by the prohibited substances, have recently attracted much attention. Here, a fluorogenic derivatization-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (FD-LC-MS/MS) method was adopted for hor...
Purohit RC, Nachreiner RF, Humburg JM, Norwood GL, Beckett SD.Circulating concentrations of angiotensin I and plasma renin activity (PRA) were determined in 45 Thoroughbreds before prerace medication (at rest), 1 to 1 1/2 hours before racing but after prerace medication (prerace), within 15 minutes after racing (immediately postrace), and between 1 to 2 hours after racing. Angiotensin I was measured by radioimmunoassay, and PRA was determined by the rate of generation of angiotensin I in plasma incubated at 37 C. Irrespective of prerace medication, there was a marked increase in angiotensin I (0.478 +/- 0.034 to 0.848 +/- 0.051 ng/ml) and PRA (0.191 +/- ...
Fog P, Vigre H, Nielsen MK.Strongyle worm burdens are assumed to subclinically affect equine performance. This assumption appears to be particularly pronounced in the equine racing industry. Objective: Race results of Standardbred trotters are negatively affected by high strongyle faecal egg count levels. Methods: Faecal samples were obtained from 213 racing Standardbred trotters, aged ≥ 2 years, and stabled at training facilities of 21 professional trainers with license at racecourses in Denmark. Strongyle egg counts were generated using a McMaster technique. Race results were recorded as the finishing position of th...
Elliott CR, Vasey JR, Russell TM.To report on the outcome of wounds to the hindlimb of racehorses, and horses with the intended use of racing, where both the long digital extensor (LoDE) and lateral digital extensor (LaDE) tendons had been completely transected. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Records of all horses admitted with hindlimb lacerations between 2002 and 2009 were examined for cases where both the LoDE and LaDE tendons in the hindlimb had been severed, and specifically in horses intended to be used for racing. Outcome was assessed via retrieval of race records and via telephone questioning of the owne...
Vos Nj.The 'classical' or 'Hangman' neck fracture involves the odontoid peg (process) of the second cervical vertebra (C2), and is described as an axial, dens or odontoid peg fracture in both the veterinary and human literature. Possible surgical treatment in both foals and adult horses requires a technique that allows decompression, anatomical alignment and stabilisation of the odontoid fracture. A limited number of surgical cases in foals have been reported in literature, but never in an adult horse. A mature Irish Thoroughbred racehorse was diagnosed with a type 2a odontoid peg fracture. Clinical ...
Littlejohn A, Snow DH.These studies investigated circulatory, respiratory and metabolic responses in four Thoroughbred geldings during the first 400 metres of galloping (mean speed 14.4 +/- 0.38 m.s-1), cantering (mean speed 10.0 +/- 0.61 m.s-1) and walking (mean speed 1.58 +/- 0.05 m.s-1) from a standing start. A radio-controlled device which collected blood samples anaerobically during each 100 m section of the exercise track allowed analyses of changes in and functional relationships of the variables measured. During the 400 m gallop, the mean heart rate (HR) increased from 125 to 201 beats.min-1 and the haemato...
Smith JM, Meyers KM, Barbee DD, Schott H, Bayly WM.To determine whether plasma von Willebrand factor (vWf) concentration changes in horses during and after treadmill exercise. Methods: 5 mature, fit Thoroughbreds. Methods: A blood sampling catheter was placed in the right jugular vein. A warm-up period was followed by a 3-minute rest period. Horses were galloped at racing pace until fatigued (about 2 minutes). Blood samples were collected prior to warm-up, during the postwarm-up rest period, 1 minute into the run, at cessation of the run, and 5 to 120 minutes after cessation of the run. vWf activity was measured by ELISA and corrected for plas...
Guan F, Uboh CE, Soma LR, Maylin G, Jiang Z, Chen J.Continuous erythropoietin receptor activator (CERA) is the third generation of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) medication that retains the effect of promoting red blood cell production but has longer duration of action in the body. CERA, rhEPO, and darbepoetin alpha (DPO) can be misused to enhance performance in both human and equine athletes. To deter such misuse, a very selective and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method has now been developed for identification of CERA, rhEPO, and DPO in equine plasma. The method employs a new signature tryptic...
Dallap BL, Bramlage LR, Embertson RM.The purpose of this study was to evaluate screw fixation with cortical drilling as a surgical treatment for dorsal cortical stress fractures of MCIII in the Thoroughbred racehorse. Details of age, sex, limb affected, fracture assessment, and post operative recommendations were obtained from medical records and radiographs. Fracture healing was assessed radiographically at the time of screw removal. Performance evaluation was determined from race records obtained from The Jockey Club Information System, Lexington, Kentucky. Fifty-six Thoroughbred racehorses were treated surgically for stress fr...
Beste KJ, Ortved KF, Rossignol F, Ducharme NG.To describe the use of a silicone-covered laser guide and diode laser for surgical correction of epiglottic entrapment and report postoperative outcomes in horses with epiglottic entrapment. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Thoroughbred and standardbred racehorses (n = 29) with epiglottic entrapment. Methods: A silicone-covered laser guide was placed endoscopically to direct the diode laser cutting action during transection of the entrapping subepiglottic membrane and to act as a physical barrier between the membrane and the epiglottic cartilage. Postoperative complications and tra...
Scott EA, McDole M, Shires MH.Sixty-five cases of third phalanx (P3) fracture were retrieved from 20,638 case records at Michigan State University's Veterinary Clinical Center between Feb 1, 1964 and July 1, 1977. The fractures were classified by anatomic location, using a numbering system. Data from case records indicated the most common P3 fracture involved the articular surface of the coffin joint (53 of 65 cases; 81.5%). The greatest occurrence of P3 fracture was in Standardbreds (31 of 65 cases). Thirty-three of the 65 fractures were in geldings of all breeds; 57 of the cases were distributed among racing horses of fo...
Matheson A, Regmi SC, Jay GD, Schmidt TA, Scott WM. Local biological and biomechanical-stimuli modulate proteoglycan-4 secretion within synovial joints. For the horse, changes to proteoglycan-4 concentration and function are notable in acute joint injury and osteoarthritis. Proteoglycan-4 (also known as Lubricin) is present in the blood, however the effect of exercise on equine serum levels is unknown. The overall objective of this study was, therefore, to investigate the effect of intense exercise on serum proteoglycan-4 in thoroughbred horses. Samples of blood were taken from thoroughbreds ( = 12) during a chuckwagon racing event (Alberta, ...
Stephen JO, White NA, McCormick WH, Cowles RR, Corley KT.To identify the types of injuries sustained by horses that competed in steeplechase races and determine the prevalence of and risk factors for those injuries. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: 2,680 horses that competed in various types of steeplechase races from 1996 through 2000. Methods: Data regarding races; environment; equipment problems; the number of horses that entered, started, and finished races; the number of riders that fell; and the number of horses that were slowed or stopped by the rider, ran off the course, fell, and sustained injuries or physical abnormalities during races...
Walsh R, Smith MRW, Wright IM.Osteochondral fragmentation of the dorsoproximal margin of the proximal phalanx is commonly recognised in racing Thoroughbreds. Frequency distribution has been documented in racing Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses in the USA and in European Warmbloods but no data have been published from the UK. Concurrent intra-articular soft tissue lesions and radiographic accuracy of fragment distribution in racing Thoroughbreds have not previously been reported. Objective: To document frequency distribution of dorsoproximal fragmentation of the proximal phalanx in a UK population of racing Thoroughbreds an...
