Horse training involves the systematic process of teaching horses specific behaviors and skills to enhance their performance and manageability. This process encompasses a variety of techniques and methods tailored to the individual horse's temperament, age, and intended use, such as riding, racing, or working. Training regimens aim to develop desired traits such as obedience, agility, and endurance while ensuring the horse's physical and mental well-being. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore various aspects of horse training, including methodologies, behavioral outcomes, and the impact on equine welfare and performance.
Jaggard G.The major problems of racing in the United States at the present time are caused by too much racing. This has led to too few horses and small fields. Consequently many owners and trainers are trying to enter their horses too frequently and to race them when they are not really fit to run. The desire to race horses as frequently as possible has led to constant pressure from horsemen through their organizations for so called "permissive medication". Started in the state of Colorado approximately ten years ago this has grown until finally there are only a few states, notably New York and New Jers...
Hanák J, Chvátal O, Janda J.Sixty seven thoroughbred race horse of various age categories were examined electrocardiographically by bipolar leak-apex of the heart -- withers; length of training corresponded to the age categories. Basic time and voltage criteria of EKG were statistically evaluated according to electrocardiographic curves: TF = 35.1 = %/- 6.82 pulses per min., time P = 0.16 +/- 0.03 sec., PQ = 0.03 +/- 0.04 sec., QRS = 0.12 +/- +/- 0.01 sec., TQc = 0.50 sec., R = 2.83 +/- 0.63 mV, Q = 0.38 +/- 0.31 mV. Repolarization phase of the chamber complex, mainly the T wave, is the most variable component of the who...
Pascoe RR.A survey of 568 horses in training and 2,535 horses on breeding farms has shown 32 percent of the horses in training to be clinically affected while only 1.1 percent of breeding horses were affected with pathogenic dermatophytes. The majority of lesions on racing horses were located on the girth areas. Trichophyton equinum var. autotrophicum, M. canis and M. equinum were found to be restricted to racing horses only. M. gypseum occurred in racing, riding and breeding horses.
The Journal of heredityJuly 1, 1976
Volume 67, Issue 4 247-248 doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.jhered.a108721
Field JK, Cunningham EP.In an analysis of handicap ratings of 1158 3-year-old thoroughbred racehorses, estimates were obtained for the effects of sex differences, the correlation between mates, the effectiveness of selection in males and females, and the heritability of racing performance. The results agreed closely with those of a previous study, and indicated a heritability of about 0.35 to 0.40, some assortative mating, and highly effective selection for performance.
Milne DW, Skarda RT, Gabel AA, Smith LG, Ault K.Effects of training at a regular, fixed, standard exercise load on venous lactic acid, mixed venous and arterial blood gases and pH, and serum muscle enzymes were determined on previously unconditioned, healthy, adult, Standardbred horses. Arterial and mixed venous blood gases, pH, and serum muscle enzymes did not change in a consistent manner during training. Venous lactic acid concentrations did increase significantly with training and may be of value for the biochemical evaluation of fitness in horses.
Krzywanek H, Milne DW, Gabel AA, Smith LG.Blood gases, lactic acid concentrations, and pH were measured in arterial and mixed venous blood in moderately conditioned Standardbred horses after a standardized exercise load of 1.6 km in 2 minutes, 40 seconds. Samples were obtained at rest, immediately after exercise, and at 3, 6, 15, 30, and 60 minutes after exercise. Arterial oxygen tension and mixed venous oxygen tension increased after exercise, reaching peak values at 6 minutes. Arterial oxygen tension returned to the resting (preexercise) value by 15 minutes, and mixed venous oxygen tension by 30 minutes. Arterial carbon dioxide tens...
van der Mey GJ, Bos H.The study of the literature on a preliminary performance test for saddle horses (stallions) is concerned with European countries. Interest is found to be increasing in the various countries. Performance of the test in the Netherlands (since 1966) is described and the various criteria of evaluation are discussed in detail. The intensity of selection based on this test is referred to. In 1974, it was 78 per cent in the Netherlands. Part of studies on the relationship between some results of testing are reviewed. The traction test shows a very low coefficient of correlation with the other parts o...
Hördegen KM.115 horseback riders have undergone clinical and radiologic examinations of the spine. A minimum of 10 years' riding was required. Depending on intensity of training and number of riding hours, the subjects were divided into three groups: roughriders, sport riders and hobby riders. It was striking that of the bare half of cases (51) suffering from lower back, only 8 (about 15%) had had medical treatment and actually been disabled. Moreover, 47% of the riders with lower back pain were painfree in the saddle, i.e. when riding. No causal connection was found between riding and a higher incidence ...
Rossdale PD.The place of clinical research in the veterinary profession is discussed against the author's personal experiences and in the context of how research workers, clinicians, teachers and veterinary students might be brought into a more cohesive unit through the development of a Faculty of clinical research and experimental medicine. It is argued that students should receive training in research and teaching and that efforts should be made to break down the attitude of "them" and "us" which tends to separate the clinicians and academics.
Lewis IM, McLan JG.The levels of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG), which affects the transport of oxygen by haemoglobin, were examined in horse blood. Resting levels of erythrocyte 2,3-DPG were established in thoroughbred horses, and levels of 2,3-DPG together with haemoglobin levels, were examined in a variety of conditions. A negative correlation was observed between erythrocyte 2,3-DPG and haemoglobin levels. Mares had higher erythrocyte 2,3-DPG levels was observed during training, and this variation may have a significant effect on haemoglobin oxygen transport. Erythrocyte 2,3-DPG levels were not affected by...
Dordel HJ.Since November 1973 a riding course has been carried out with six blind adults. Due to the instructional methods the participants were able to ride independently, without an attendant, after only 30 hours. The effects of riding on the blind encompass coordination training and development of muscle strength. Furthermore, riding has a pronounced influence on the circulatory system. This attractive reaction activity provides the person who, as a result of his specific handicapping condition is limited in both the spatial and social fields, with an expansion of his living space and sphere of exper...
Blackmore DJ, Elton D.This paper records the concentrations of aspartate amino transferase (A.A.T.), creatine kinase (C.P.K.), sorbitol dehydrogenase (S.D.H.), alpha-hydroxybuturate dehydrogenase (alpha-H.B.D.) and alkaline phosphatase (A.P.) activity observed in the sera of Thoroughbred horses in the United Kingdom, at rest and during training. The methods of analysis have been selected to achieve the optimum precision when used for horse serum. During training A.A.T., C.P.K. and alpha-H.B.D. are related and demonstrate intermittent periods of increasing activity. S.D.H. remains unchanged but demonstrates increase...
Zakopal J, Kubícek K, Koprivová M, Kepková K.A study was performed to examine microclimate in 14 stables belonging to 10 horsemen's teams and clubs; five of these houses were new-built. In five race-horse stables housing 16 horses each, on an average, where the optimum air temperature ranged from 10 degrees C to 12 degrees C, measurements and examinations were performed in the winter period and the following results were obtained: space per 1 horse housed 42.9 plus or minus 8.7 m-3, relative air humidity 74.3 plus or minus 3.8%, CO2 concentration 0.175 plus or minus 0.027%, NH3 concentration 0.00135 plus or minus 0.00044%. A large majori...
Courtot D, Roux L, Mouthon G, Jeanin E.Doping with tranquilizers has appeared recently in horse-back riding sports. In this paper we study the effects of acepromazine, one of the main tranquilizers used, on various physiological and biochemical aspects of muscular activity (cardiac and respiratory rhythms, seric rates of glucose, urea, protein, creatine phosphokinase, glutamate oxalacetate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase). A low dose (0.02 mg/kg) of acepromazine is injected; the evolution of the variables is studied before and after a standardized effort. After the effort and during recuperation, acepromazine administration caus...
Lindholm A, Piehl K.LINDHOLM, ARNE and KARIN PIEHL: Acta vet. scand. 1974, , 287–309. — Measurements of metabolites, electrolytes, water, RNA and protein concentrations, the activity of certain muscle enzymes (SDH and PFK) and muscle fibre composition were made on biopsy specimens from the gluteus medius muscle of 68 standardbred horses, ½ to 8 years old. The muscle fibres were classified in 3 major categories, slow twitch (ST), fast twitch and high oxidative (FTH) and fast twitch (FT) fibres. The percentage of FTH fibres was higher after the age of 4 years, averaging 54 %. ST fibres comprised 24 % and this...
Ross MW, Richardson DW, Beroza GA.Thirteen Standardbreds had subchondral lucency of the third carpal bone (C3), described as single or multiple central areas of C3 bone loss in the radial fossa. Sclerosis of the radial fossa was also detected. The mean age of 9 stallions, 3 mares, and 1 gelding was 4.1 years (range, 3 to 7 years). All horses had an acute moderate to severe lameness referable to the middle carpal joint. A dorsoproximal dorsodistal (skyline) radiographic projection was most useful and identified mild (3 horses), moderate (6 horses), and severe (4 horses) subchondral lucency and sclerosis of the radial fossa. The...
Weber JA, Woods GL.A technique was developed in which the accessory sex glands of stallions were visualized with transrectal ultrasonography during ejaculation. The technique was judged to be effective, since 10 of 11 stallions were trained to tolerate transrectal ultrasonography during ejaculation; they ejaculated during 195 of 200 attempts, and acceptable visualization of their accessory sex glands and excurrent ducts occurred during 97 of 195 ejaculations. Sixty-five percent (89 136 ) of the recordings were successful for stallions that weighed more than 300 kg, whereas 14% (8 59 ) of the recordings were succ...
Morlock M, Nassutt R, Bonin V.INTRODUCTION:: Cohesive bandages are applied to the legs of racehorses and horses with limb injuries for protection (prevention of abrasion) and support (reduction of movement at the fetlock joint). The support capacity of all commercially available bandages has been questioned. Consequently, the protection aspect of bandaging and the negative side effects, which can be caused by bandaging (eg pressure induced ischemia with subsequent necrosis), were emphasized. High pressures underneath bandages were shown to cause reduced blood flow. Pressures underneath certain types of bandages were shown ...
Root Kustritz MV, Chenoweth PJ, Tibary A.To determine whether veterinarians perceive that theriogenology training at veterinary medical schools in North America and the Caribbean is adequate for achievement of theriogenology skills commonly used in private practice. Methods: A survey was mailed to members of the veterinary medical associations of Alabama, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Washington. With regard to reproductive procedures in bovine, equine, porcine, small ruminant, camelid, and small animal species, veterinarians (predominantly practitioners) were asked to rate the importance of that procedure in their job and to assess thei...
Funkquist P, Demmers S, Hedenstierna G, Jensen Waern M, Nyman G.It is not known if pulmonary function and gas exchange during exercise are altered after pyogranulomatous pneumonia caused by Rhodococcus equi infection in the foal. The aim was to evaluate whether pulmonary gas exchange during high intensity exercise was altered in mature Standardbreds with a history of R. equi pneumonia as foals. In 7 foals, R. equi pneumonia was confirmed and treated. At age 3 years, when these horses were subjected to professional training, an inclined treadmill exercise test including 4 speeds was performed. Samples were collected when a steady state in VO2 was obtained. ...
Tennent-Brown BS, Goetz TE, Manohar M, Hassan AS, Freeman DE, Bundy JS, Evans MR.Hyperhydration, prior to prolonged moderate-intensity exercise simulating the 2nd day of a 3-day equestrian event (E3DEC), may induce arterial hypoxaemia detrimental to performance. Objective: Because moderate-intensity exercise does not induce arterial hypoxaemia in healthy horses, the effects of pre-exercise hypervolaemia on arterial oxygenation were examined during a prolonged exercise protocol. Methods: Blood-gas studies were carried out on 7 healthy, exercise-trained Thoroughbred horses in control and hyperhydration experiments. The study conformed to a randomised crossover design. The se...
Escribano BM, Agüera EI, Vivo R, Santisteban R, Castejón FM, Rubio MD.The aim of this work was to assess whether progressive training caused an improvement in the nonspecific immune response of colts because several unusual infections are due to defects inherent in the neutrophilic function among which respiratory diseases are a major defect in the performance of athletes taking part in professional sports activities. A group of 7 Anglo-Arabian colts belonging to the Army was selected. These animals carry out training programmes for their participation in National Jumping Competitions. During a submaximal exercise test (heart rate 150 beats/min and lactate level...
Plevin S, McLellan J.The occurrence of bucked shins in young Thoroughbred racehorses in North America is high. Although an altered training regime has demonstrated a significant decrease in this condition, trainers can be opposed to altering something as fundamental as their training routine. Periosteal scraping of the third metacarpal bone (McIII) is a putative prophylactic technique used to prevent bucked shins; therefore, a study to investigate the validity of the procedure is warranted. Objective: To investigate whether prophylactic McIII scraping: 1) reduces the incidence of bucked shins in juvenile Thoroughb...
Saitua A, Castejón-Riber C, Requena F, Argüelles D, Calle-González N, de Medina AS, Muñoz A.During a water treadmill (WT) exercise, horses change their accelerometric patterns. We aimed to analyze if these changes persist during terrestrial locomotion. Six horses were randomly subjected to 40 min duration WT exercises, without water (WW), at the depth of fetlock (FET), carpus (CAR) and stifle (STF), with a day off between them. Before and after 30 min after WT, horses were evaluated at walk and at trot on a track with a triaxial accelerometer fixed on the pectoral (PECT) and sacrum (SML) regions. The percent of change from baseline (before WT and after each exercise session) were cal...
Maśko M, Lewczuk D, Szarska E, Domino M.A horse learning about the entrance to narrow, cage-shaped places may be challenging both for the horses as well as for the owners. For some behaviors, such as loading into a trailer or climbing onto a treadmill, the final behavioral goal can be achieved by working towards it in stages. This study compared the successive approximation of horses to their first work on a treadmill with horses hardly ever loaded (HE L) and regularly loaded (R L) into a trailer. Fourteen horses were divided into two groups (HE L n = 7 and R L n = 7) based on their experiences of entering into a trailer. Al...
Kovár J, Kostelecká B.On the basis of test results, regarding the pulse rate response to the increased load, obtained from 278 three-year-old horses after finishing their elementary training (145 Bohemian warm-blooded horses, 115 Kladrub Black horses and 18 English half-bred horses), a method was worked for the evaluation of their performance. As an evaluating criterion a velocity (v170) was chosen which was obtained from an experimentally determined regression dependence of velocity on the pulse rate at 170 pulses per minute. A set of v170 data were statistically processed and on the basis of quantiles of normal d...
Davies HM.In Thoroughbred racehorses, the dorsal cortex (DC) of the third metacarpal bone (MC3) enlarges when horses are first exposed to fast exercise speeds. It is now possible to measure ultrasound speed through 3 to 5 mm depths of bone around the bone shaft using Sunlight Medical's 'Omnisense' machine. The aim of this experiment was to determine whether the ultrasound speed measured in the surface 3-5 mm of the midshaft dorsal cortex of MC3 could be related directly to the midshaft shape and size of the MC3s of young Thoroughbred racehorses at the same stage of training. Sixteen 2-year-old and sixte...
Clayton HM.High-speed cinematography was used to record the movements of 12 cutting horses performing a standard test with a mechanical flag. Based on their previous competitive performances, horses were classified into 2 groups: group 1, composed of 5 moderately successful or average performers that had won less than $35,000 in purse money; and group 2, composed of 7 highly successful or elite performances that had amassed greater than $35,000 in competition earnings. Analysis of the results indicated that, compared with horses of the average group, the elite horses had faster reaction times in response...
Ebert M, Moore-Colyer MJS.The aim of this study was to estimate the energy requirements of Thoroughbred racehorses in active training for flat racing. Twenty-two Thoroughbred racehorses in England were measured over periods from 6 to 15 wk, which included periods of active race training and temporarily reduced training. Energy intake was determined by measuring daily feed consumption. Energy output was measured using heart rate monitors during 730 training sessions, relating heart rate (HR) to oxygen consumption (VO2) and converting VO2 to energy. Field maintenance requirements were calculated by deducting the marginal...
Dougherty DM, Lewis P.Using three horses we imvestigated responding on several concurrent variable-interval schedules. Each horse was first trained, using the method of successive approximations, to press a response lever with its upper lip. Following successful acquisition of the lip-press response, horses spent several days on pretraining schedules. These included a continuous reinforcement schedule and three variable-interval concurrent schedules: VI 15-sec VI 15-sec, VI 30-sec VI 30-sec, and VI 45-sec VI 45-sec. Horses were then exposed to the experimental sessions; sessions were conducted daily in the horse's ...
McCoy AM, Beeson SK, Rubin CJ, Andersson L, Caputo P, Lykkjen S, Moore A, Piercy RJ, Mickelson JR, McCue ME.Several horse breeds have been specifically selected for the ability to exhibit alternative patterns of locomotion, or gaits. A premature stop codon in the gene DMRT3 is permissive for "gaitedness" across breeds. However, this mutation is nearly fixed in both American Standardbred trotters and pacers, which perform a diagonal and lateral gait, respectively, during harness racing. This suggests that modifying alleles must influence the preferred gait at racing speeds in these populations. A genome-wide association analysis for the ability to pace was performed in 542 Standardbred horses (n = 17...
Chitnavis JP, Gibbons CL, Hirigoyen M, Lloyd Parry J, Simpson AH.Horse riding is a dangerous pastime with more accidents occurring per hour than during motor-cycling. Since a prospective survey of horse-related injuries conducted at a major centre in 1971-1972, equestrian groups and the medical profession have encouraged improvements in training and protective riding wear. By conducting a similar study at the same centre 20 years later we hoped to assess the effects of these measures on the pattern of injuries resulting from contact with horses. Patient and injury details were recorded prospectively for all those presenting to the Accident Service at Oxford...
Bailey CJ, Reid SW, Hodgson DR, Rose RJ.To determine whether sex or foaling period were associated with time to first race start and whether sex, age at time of first race start, or inter-race period were associated with career duration for Thoroughbred racehorses in Australia. Methods: 553 Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: Race records through to the end of the 6-year-old racing season were obtained for each horse. Product-limit survival analysis was used to determine whether sex or foaling period was associated with time to first race start and whether sex or age at first race was associated with career duration. A Cox proportiona...
Biau S, Couve O, Lemaire S, Barrey E.The equestrian literature and reports of experienced riders indicated that attitude of a horse's head and neck is related to the equine locomotion characteristics. The purpose of this study was to quantify the effects of 3 types of reins on locomotion at walk and trot. Eight saddle horses were tested in an automatic walker without reins, with rubber bands, Chambons and Back lift, using the same procedure. The rubber bands closed the head-neck angle, whereas the Chambons and the Back lift opened it. The gait characteristics were measured with the Equimetrix gait analysis system. Two acceleromet...
Faria R, Vicente A, Silva J.The aim of this study was to evaluate the sprint racing performance of Quarter Horses in Brazil. Estimating genetic parameters, trends and correlations were obtained by single- and two-trait analyses using Bayesian inference (earnings to 2 years of equestrian age, best time and time class at distances of 301 m and 402 m). The data comprised a period of 38 equestrian years (1978 to 2015) with 23,482 sprint race records from 5861 animals. The heritability estimates were of low to moderate magnitude, ranging from 0.10 to 0.37 (single-trait) and from 0.15 to 0.41 (two-traits), and the repeatabilit...
Northrop AJ, Martin JH, Peterson ML, Roepstorff L, Hernlund E, Hobbs SJ.The design of equestrian arenas can be challenged by time constraints and specific restrictions at a venue but are nonetheless a critical element to the success and sustainability of equestrian sport. The equestrian arenas for the 2012 Olympic Games were an example of a temporary arena constructed on a raised platform and supported by struts, a design unprecedented for equestrian activities. This study assessed the developmental stages of the Olympic surfaces from 2011 to the actual event in 2012 and aimed to confirm that accelerations and forces experienced by horses were comparable to those ...
Hill DW, Hyde WG, Kind AJ, Greulich D, Hopkins S.Aramine (metaraminol bitartrate) has been found in the possession of horse trainers and veterinarians who have been investigated for possible inappropriate drug administration to racing horses. Metaraminol (3-hydroxyphenylisopropanolamine) is a sympathomimetic amine that directly and indirectly affects adrenergic receptors, with alpha effects being predominant. Because it has the potential to affect the performance of a racing horse, its use is prohibited. In the present study, methods for the detection of metaraminol were developed. Metaraminol was found to be extracted with poor recovery ( 9...
Crevier-Denoix N, Robin D, Pourcelot P, Falala S, Holden L, Estoup P, Desquilbet L, Denoix JM, Chateau H.Although beach training is commonly used in horses, limb loading on beach sand has never been investigated. A dynamometric horseshoe (DHS) is well adapted for this purpose. Objective: To compare ground reaction force (GRF) and fetlock kinematics measured in harness trotters on 2 tracks of beach sand with different water content. Methods: Two linear sand tracks were compared: firm wet sand (FWS, 19% moisture) vs. deep wet sand (DWS, 13.5% moisture). Four French trotters (550 ± 22 kg) were used. Their right forelimb was equipped with a DHS and skin markers. Each track was tested 3 times at 7 m/...
Gottlieb-Vedi M, Essén-Gustavsson B, Thornell LE, Lindholm A.The aim of this study was to determine whether the metabolic response and ultrastructure of muscle differed when horses performed intense exercise at different ambient temperatures. Four Standardbred geldings performed treadmill exercise, including an intensive trot of 2600 m on two different occasions, either at a high ambient temperature of 35 degrees C or at a temperature of 20 degrees C. The horses had a warm-up period of 23.5 min of submaximal exercise, followed by 2 h of box rest before the intensive exercise. Muscle biopsy data of adenine nucleotides, creatine phosphate, lactate and gly...
Vidal Moreno de Vega C, Lemmens D, de Meeûs d'Argenteuil C, Boshuizen B, de Maré L, Leybaert L, Goethals K, de Oliveira JE, Hosotani G, Deforce D....Important changes in glucose transporter (GLUT) expression should be expected if the glucose influx plays a pivotal role in fuelling or connecting metabolic pathways that are upregulated in response to exercise. The aim was to assess GLUT4, 8, and 12 dynamics in response to training and acute exercise. Sixteen untrained Standardbred mares (3-4 year) performed an incremental SET at the start and end of 8 weeks harness training. M. pectoralis (PM) and M. vastus lateralis (VL) muscle biopsies were taken before and after each SET, allowing for comparing rest and acute samples in untrained (UT) ...
Nugent GE, Law AW, Wong EG, Temple MM, Bae WC, Chen AC, Kawcak CE, Sah RL.Determine (1) the site-associated response of articular cartilage of the equine distal metacarpal condyle to training at a young age as assessed by changes in indentation stiffness and alterations in cartilage structure and composition, and (2) relationships between indentation stiffness and indices of cartilage structure and composition. Methods: Experimental animals (n=6) were trained on a track (increasing exercise to 1km/day by 5 months); controls (n=6) were pasture-reared. Animals were euthanized at 18 months and four osteochondral samples were harvested per metacarpal condyle from dorsal...
Mills PC, Ng JC, Thornton J, Seawright AA, Auer DE.Four unfit thoroughbred horses were exercised on a treadmill twice, 5 weeks apart. Exercise consisted of stepwise increments in treadmill speed up to a maximum of 12 m s-1 and then maintained at this speed until the horses were fatigued. Two of the horses were administered phenylbutazone (4.4 mg kg-1) intravenously immediately before the first exercise period and the other two horses immediately before the second exercise period. Clinical observation revealed stiffness of gait and palpable soreness over the lumbar-sacral region in the horses 24 h after the exercise concluded. Mean plasma aspar...
Rossetto L, Farcey MF, Bilbao MG, Bartolomé JA, Gallelli MF, Miragaya MH.The stress associated with training may reduce reproductive efficiency in Criollo stallions. The objective of this study was to compare semen quality and hormone concentrations in Criollo stallions under training or under regular field conditions. Criollo breed stallions (n = 18) were evaluated during the spring. The exercise group (n = 9) performed 1 hour of exercise per day and participated in competitions during the experimental period. The control group (n = 9) neither performed exercise nor participated in competitions. Serum and semen samples were obtained every 15 days (two separat...
McCoy AM, Ralston SL, McCue ME.Osteochondrosis (OC) is commonly diagnosed in young Standardbred racehorses but its effect on performance when surgically treated at a young age is still incompletely understood. This is especially true for Standardbred pacers, which are underrepresented in the existing literature. Objective: To characterise the short- (2-year-old) and long-term (through 5-year-old) racing performance in Standardbred pacers and trotters after early surgical intervention (<17 months of age) for tarsal OC. Methods: Retrospective clinical study. Methods: The study population consisted of related, age-matched Stan...
Hanie EA, Sullins KE, White NA.The results of 31 intracortical dorsal metacarpal stress fractures in 28 horses following unicortical osteostixis were reviewed. The incidence was predominately in the middle third of the lateral aspect of the left metacarpus, and males were affected more commonly. Approximately half of the surgical procedures were performed with the horse in the standing position. The mean times to return to training and racing were 4.25 and 6.9 months respectively. There was no correlation between time taken to return to racing and position of surgery. Complications experienced included lack of suture remova...
