A prospective cohort study to investigate risk factors for horse falls in UK hurdle and steeplechase racing.
Abstract: Equine fatalities during racing continue to be a major welfare concern and falls at fences are responsible for a proportion of all equine fatalities recorded on racecourses. Objective: To identify and quantify risk factors for horse falls in National Hunt (NH) racing and to report the frequency of falling and falling-associated fatalities. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted on 2879 horse starts in hurdle and steeplechase races on 6 UK racecourses. Any horse that suffered a fall at a steeplechase or hurdle fence during the race was defined as a case. Data were obtained by interview and observations in the parade ring and from commercial databases. Multivariable logistic regression models, allowing for clustering at the level of the track, were used to identify the relationship between variables and the risk of falling. Results: There were 124 falling cases (32 in hurdling and 92 in steeplechasing) identified. The injury risk of fallers was 8.9% and fatality risk 6.5%. Duration of journey to the racecourse, behaviour in the parade ring and weather at the time of the race were associated with falling in both hurdle and steeplechase racing. Age, amount of rainfall and going were also associated with falling in steeplechase racing. Conclusions: Falls at fences are significant contributors to equine fatalities during NH racing. Potentially modifiable risk factors identified were the condition of track surfaces and journey time to the racecourse. Conclusions: It is hoped that information from this study may be used in future interventions to improve horse and jockey safety in racing. The study has also identified areas requiring further research, such as equine behaviour and its effect on racing performance, and the effect of light conditions on jumping ability.
Publication Date: 2004-12-08 PubMed ID: 15581324DOI: 10.2746/0425164044864552Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research is a cohort study that aims to pinpoint and assess the factors posing a risk for horse falls during National Hunt racing in the UK, and to reveal the frequency of falls and associated fatalities.
Research Methodology
- The study adopted a prospective cohort design, tracking a total of 2879 horse starts in both hurdle and steeplechase races held on six different racecourses in the UK.
- A case was defined as any horse that fell at a steeplechase or hurdle fence during a race.
- Data collection involved observing and interviewing in the parade ring and retrieving additional information from commercial databases.
- The researchers utilised multivariable logistic regression models that consider clustering at the track level to determine the relationship between different variables and the risk of a horse falling.
Research Findings
- A total of 124 cases of falls were documented—32 in hurdling and 92 in steeplechasing. The injury rate for fallers was measured at 8.9%, with a fatality risk at 6.5%.
- The duration of the horse’s journey to the racecourse, the horse’s behaviour in the parade ring, and the weather at the time of the race were identified as significant influences on both hurdle and steeplechase racing falls.
- Additional factors tied to steeplechase racing falls included the horse’s age, the volume of rainfall, and the track’s condition (termed as “going”).
Conclusions
- Falls at fences were found as significant contributors to fatalities among horses during National Hunt racing.
- Adjustable risk factors identified included the state of the track surface and the duration of the horse’s journey to the course.
- The study information is hoped to shape future measures to enhance the safety of both horses and jockeys during racing.
- Areas marked for further exploration comprise the impact of equine behaviour on racing performance and the influence of lighting conditions on jumping prowess.
Cite This Article
APA
Pinchbeck GL, Clegg PD, Proudman CJ, Morgan KL, French NP.
(2004).
A prospective cohort study to investigate risk factors for horse falls in UK hurdle and steeplechase racing.
Equine Vet J, 36(7), 595-601.
https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164044864552 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Accidental Falls / mortality
- Accidental Falls / statistics & numerical data
- Age Factors
- Animal Welfare
- Animals
- Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
- Athletic Injuries / etiology
- Athletic Injuries / mortality
- Athletic Injuries / veterinary
- Cohort Studies
- Horses / injuries
- Logistic Models
- Odds Ratio
- Prospective Studies
- Rain
- Risk Factors
- Safety
- Sports
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- United Kingdom
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Tian T, Lin X, Huang T, Zhang K, Shi C, Wang P, Chen S, Guo T, Li Z, Qin P, Liang B, Zhang W, Hao Y. The risk of injuries during work and its association with precipitation: New insight from a sentinel-based surveillance and a case-crossover design.. Front Public Health 2023;11:1117948.
- Crawford KL, Finnane A, Greer RM, Phillips CJC, Woldeyohannes SM, Perkins NR, Ahern BJ. Appraising the Welfare of Thoroughbred Racehorses in Training in Queensland, Australia: The Incidence and Type of Musculoskeletal Injuries Vary between Two-Year-Old and Older Thoroughbred Racehorses.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Nov 5;10(11).
- Paul SC, Stevens M. Horse vision and obstacle visibility in horseracing.. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2020 Jan;222:104882.
- Ruse K, Davison A, Bridle K. Jump Horse Safety: Reconciling Public Debate and Australian Thoroughbred Jump Racing Data, 2012-2014.. Animals (Basel) 2015 Oct 22;5(4):1072-91.
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