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Topic:Racehorses
Racehorses are a distinct category of horses bred and trained for competitive racing events, characterized by their speed, agility, and stamina. These horses are primarily Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, or Quarter Horses, each with specific attributes suited to different types of racing. The physiology and management of racehorses focus on optimizing performance through training, nutrition, and veterinary care. Research in this area often explores aspects such as biomechanics, cardiovascular health, and injury prevention. This page gathers peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that investigate the physiology, training methodologies, and health management practices associated with racehorses, providing insights into the factors influencing their performance and welfare.
Scintigraphic identification of skeletal muscle damage in horses 24 hours after strenuous exercise. The uptake of the bone-seeking radiopharmaceutical 99mTc-MDP by damaged skeletal muscle in horses is evaluated. Twenty-four hours following strenuous exercise, 109 racehorses with a history of inadequate athletic performance and subtle lameness were imaged using scintigraphic techniques. Ten horses (9.2 per cent) demonstrated abnormal uptake of the radioisotope within skeletal muscles. A muscle biopsy from one of these horses confirmed that the muscles with increased scintigraphic activity had histologic evidence of rhabdomyolysis. This technique allows localisation and relative quantification...
Transendoscopic contact neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser excision of tracheal lesions in two horses. Two male racehorses (1 Standardbred, 1 Thoroughbred) were examined because of intraluminal cervical tracheal lesions, located 60 to 70 cm from the nares. A contact neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser with a chisel probe attached to the fiber end was used to transendoscopically debride a nonhealing tracheal ulcer and to excise a pyogranulomatous mass. In both horses, the surgical sites healed quickly and the lesions did not redevelop.
Osteochondritis dissecans of the tarsocrural joint: results of treatment with arthroscopic surgery. The technique and results of arthroscopic surgery for the treatment of osteochondritis dissecans in 318 tarsocrural joints in 225 horses are reported. Of the 225 horses, 154 were racehorses or intended for racing. Arthroscopic surgery was an effective technique for treating osteochondritis dissecans of the tarsocrural joint. The overall functional ability and cosmetic appearance of the limbs were excellent. Post surgical follow-up information was obtained for 183 horses, of which 140 (76.5 per cent) raced successfully or performed their intended use following surgery. Of the remaining 43, 11 w...
The effect of acute exercise on the secretion of corticotropin-releasing factor, arginine vasopressin, and adrenocorticotropin as measured in pituitary venous blood from the horse. We have used the technique which we have developed for collecting pituitary venous blood from conscious, undisturbed horses to study the effect of acute vigorous exercise on the secretion of CRF, arginine vasopressin (AVP) and ACTH. Pituitary venous (pit) blood was collected every 1-5 min from nine trained racehorses at rest in the stable. The horses then trotted quietly for 10 min, after which they galloped as fast as possible for 4-6 min, before returning to the stable where sampling continued. In Exp 1 (n = 5) no blood samples were taken during exercise, whereas in Exp 2 (n = 4), pit blood ...
A review of the pathophysiology of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage in the equine athlete. In the United States, more than 75% of equine athletes are reported to suffer from exercise-related haemorrhage of the respiratory tract (Voynick and Sweeney, 1986; Sweeney et al., 1990). Fiberoptic endoscopy has traced the source of blood to beyond the bifurcation of the trachea. In 1981, the term exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) was introduced (Pascoe et al., 1981). Racehorses of all breeds, polo ponies and three-day event horses of mixed heritage, even foxhunters, may 'bleed' (Voynick and Sweeney, 1986; Pascoe et al., 1981; Sweeney and Soma, 1983; Hillidge, 1986). Any horse wor...
In vitro comparison of Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses with regard to local fatigue failure of the third metacarpal bone. In vitro local fatigue testing of the third metacarpal bone from Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses was performed, using fully reversed cyclic bending. Strain number of cycle data were accumulated and indicated that significant difference did not exist between the 2 breeds. It was concluded that the marked difference in the incidence of fatigue failure in the third metacarpal bone (bucked shins, dorsal metacarpal disease) seen in Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds was not related to any differences between the 2 breeds in mechanical properties of the bone.
[Reference values for cortisol, T4 and T-uptake in different horse groups using the fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA)]. Reference values for Cortisol, T4 and T-Uptake, determined with the Fluorescence-Polarization-Immunoassays (FPIAs) in blood-plasma of different horse groups were established. The highest Cortisol values were measured in blood samples from thoroughbred racehorses and riding horses taken between 7 and 8 a.m. (181 +/- 37 and 268 +/- 43 nmol/l), the lowest gained between 5 and 6 p.m. (69 +/- 45 and 85 +/- 32 nmol/l respectively). Peak values for T4 in riding horses were found in blood samples collected between 1 and 2 p.m. (28.2 +/- 5.7 nmol/l) followed by the samples taken at 5-6 p.m. and 7-8 a.m...
Transendoscopic contact neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser correction of epiglottic entrapment in standing horses. Fifty-seven Standardbred and 44 Thoroughbred racehorses and 1 Thoroughbred polo mare with primary clinical signs of exercise intolerance or respiratory tract noise or combined exercise intolerance and respiratory tract noise were referred for laser correction of epiglottic entrapment. Significantly (P less than 0.001) more Standardbred than Thoroughbred racehorses were affected, compared with the observed hospital population during the same period. At referral, 14 horses did not have evident epiglottic entrapment and were returned to exercise without development of entrapment after treatment, ...
Surgery of the upper respiratory tract in the racehorse. The authors discuss the surgical treatment of selected diseases of the upper airway of the racehorse. Although most of these conditions occur commonly and are easily diagnosed, their surgical management is often less straight-forward and may be surprisingly controversial. The authors' intent is to provide an overview of these problems and give some information regarding current treatment options.
Orthopedic surgery in the racehorse. This article attempts to address what the authors consider to be the major orthopedic problems in the racehorse, with particular attention to their treatment and prognosis. These problems include fractures, osteochondral fragments, synovitis, degenerative joint disease, tendinitis, desmitis, osteochondritis dissecans, and subchondral cystic lesions of the joints.
Evaluation of upper respiratory tract function during strenuous exercise in racehorses. Forty-six racehorses with a history of poor performance underwent endoscopic evaluation of laryngeal and pharyngeal function while exercising on a high-speed treadmill. This evaluation allowed the definitive diagnosis of intermittent or continual upper respiratory tract obstruction as a cause of poor performance, as well as the documentation of the dynamic functional anatomy of the obstruction. Ten of the horses (22%) were determined to have a functional abnormality of the upper respiratory tract. These abnormalities included epiglottic entrapment (1 horse), persistent dorsal displacement of t...
Exercise-induced transient hyperlipidemia in the racehorse. Effects of graded intensity exercise on plasma lipids was studied in Standardbred and Finnishbred Trotters. The rate of lipolysis indicated by the elevated plasma concentrations of glycerol increased parallel with the intensity of the trot in the Standardbreds, but not as clearly in the Finnishbred trotters. During the exercise plasma triglyceride concentration increased significantly and the increase correlated with the intensity of the exercise as well as the activity of lipolysis. Together with the increase in plasma triglycerides, there was a parallel increase in the pre-beta fraction of l...
Lateral luxation of the superficial digital flexor tendon from the calcaneal tuber in two horses. Lateral luxation of the superficial digital flexor tendon from the calcaneal tuber occurs in horses as a result of tearing or rupture of the medial retinaculum of the tendon. This report describes the repair of this condition in 2 Thoroughbred race horses, using a surgical technique in which 2 cancellous bone screws were placed in the calcaneus lateral to the tendon, along with suturing the medial retinaculum.
Incidence, location and classification of 371 third carpal bone fractures in 313 horses. The medical records and radiographs of all horses with a third carpal bone fracture admitted to The Ohio State University Veterinary Hospital from 1979 to 1987 were reviewed. Three hundred and seventy-one fractures were found in 313 horses; 57 percent were Standardbreds, 41 per cent were Thoroughbreds, and only 1.6 per cent were Quarterhorses. All were young racehorses (average age = 3.1 years). Third carpal fractures occurred more frequently in the right limb (60 percent) than the left limb (40 percent); Thoroughbreds had a greater right-left disparity (67.5 percent R, 27.1 per cent L). Fract...
Relationships between the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, plasma proteins and viscosity, and leucocyte counts in thoroughbred racehorses. The influence of plasma proteins on erythrocyte aggregation was studied in a population of young thoroughbred racehorses, using the 60 minute erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) with and without haematocrit standardisation. The ESR was correlated inversely with the haematocrit, but directly with fibrinogen, plasma viscosity and serum total globulins. When ESR values were standardised to a common haematocrit the correlation coefficients for the same plasma protein factors were increased. Albumin levels showed a strong direct relationship with haematocrit which accounted for the inverse correla...
Sudden and unexpected death in horses and ponies: an analysis of 200 cases. An analysis was made of the causes of death in horses and ponies over one year of age which died suddenly (Group 1) or were found dead but were considered normal when last seen (Group 2). There were 49 animals in Group 1. Thoroughbreds were overrepresented, but there were no ponies in this group. No cause of death was found in 30.6 per cent of cases and 16.3 per cent died from each of the following causes: haemorrhage in the respiratory system, central nervous system, and adverse drug reactions. Cardiovascular lesions were the cause of death in 14.4 per cent and the remaining 3.1 per cent had ...
Sero-epizootiological study of racehorses with pyrexia in the training centers of the Japan Racing Association. A sero-epizootiological study was conducted on horses which showed clinical pyrexia at two training centers, each of which maintained 1, 200 to 2, 100 racehorses for training, of the Japan Racing Association. It continued from 1980 to 1985 to clarify the cause of pyrexia, so that measures might be considered for the prevention of infectious disease. A total of 3, 849 horses were found to be affected with pyrexia for the 6 years. Of them, 2, 852 horses were tested to equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1), equine rhinovirus type 1 (ERhV-1), rotavirus and equine adenovirus (EAdV) by collecting paired...
Arthroscopic surgery for the treatment of osteochondral chip fractures in the equine carpus. The technique and results of arthroscopic surgery for the removal of osteochondral fragments from 1,000 carpal joints in 591 horses are reported. Of the 591 horses, 580 were racehorses (including 349 Quarter Horses and 220 Thoroughbreds). The distal aspect of the radial carpal bone was the most commonly affected site, followed by the proximal aspect of the intermediate carpal bone and distolateral aspect of the radius. More than one carpal joint was simultaneously operated on in 58.9% of the Quarter Horses and in 37.4% of the Thoroughbreds. Marked differences in the amount of damage were noted...
Diseases of the heart. Diagnostic ultrasound has allowed significant findings to be made in the investigation of cardiac disease in the horse. Because of the limited value of thoracic radiography in the adult horse with cardiac disease, ultrasound is the method of choice to document chamber enlargement, pericardial effusion, valvular abnormalities, and decreased contractility of the myocardium. The apparent changes in the flow characteristics and suspicion of abnormality in the right heart of racehorses need further investigation to fully document the etiopathogenesis of spontaneous contrast.
Technique for arthroscopic repair of third carpal bone slab fractures in horses. A technique involving internal fixation guided by arthroscopy was used to repair third carpal slab fractures in 23 horses. The technique allowed good reduction and compression of the fractures, with minimal surgical trauma. Ten of 17 horses with a 6-month or longer follow-up have returned to race successfully.
Bacterial isolates from tracheobronchial aspirates of healthy horses. Of tracheobronchial aspirates from 50 clinically healthy Thoroughbred racehorses, 4 (8%) had aerobic bacteria with recognized pathogenicity, 12 (24%) contained transient bacterial isolates, and 37 (74%) had no bacterial growth. Of tracheobronchial aspirates from 36 pastured, nonracing racehorses, 3 (8%) had bacteria with recognized pathogenicity, 23 (64%) contained transient bacteria, and 10 (28%) had no bacterial growth. Anaerobes were not isolated from 12 of 12 pastured horses. Transient bacteria were isolated more often in the pastured horses.
Transendoscopic electrosurgery for epiglottal entrapment in the horse. Monopolar electrosurgical cutting was used to correct epiglottal entrapment in 5 horses. The operations were carried out in the conscious animal, using topical anesthesia. The procedure required the use of a coagulation electrode designed specifically for electrosurgery, introduced through the instrument channel of a fiberoptic endoscope. The results were satisfactory and serious complications were not encountered. In 2 horses, excessive submucosal swelling developed at the site of the surgical wound, and the tumefaction took several weeks to subside in one of these horses. In both horses, the...
Endoscopic and virological observations on respiratory disease in a group of young Thoroughbred horses in training. A group of racehorses in training was examined on several occasions with a fibreoptic endoscope and monitored for viral infection. Only equine herpes virus-2 (EHV-2) infection was detected. Pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia (PLH) was present in all horses and decreased in severity with age. There was no association between PLH severity and antibody titres to EHV-1, or with the isolation of EHV-2. Finishing position in races was not affected by PLH severity. Exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) was evident on 23 out of 49 (47 per cent) examinations after maximal speed training exercise. ...
