A Systematic Narrative Review of Stable Staff and Trainers’ Occupational Health and Well-Being in Thoroughbred Horse Racing: An International Perspective.
Abstract: Stable staff and trainers are essential to racing yards and horse welfare, yet limited research focuses on this vital workforce that the thoroughbred industry heavily relies on. This systematic narrative review synthesizes existing literature on the occupational health and well-being of stable staff and trainers in the thoroughbred horse racing industry. Methods: A systematic narrative review was conducted across PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus using relevant keywords. Manuscripts reporting occupational or mental health data on stable staff and/or trainers and had the full-text available were synthesized narratively in line with PRISMA guidelines. Results: Of 2,456 studies screened, 21 met eligibility criteria. In the past year, 43% of staff experienced an injury, with 18% requiring medical attention. Mental health concerns were prevalent, with 65% of injured staff experiencing anxiety, 60% depression, and up to 80% of UK stable staff and trainers reporting stress linked to financial pressures and limited support. Poor sleep contributed to self-reported daytime dysfunction and psychological distress. Substance misuse was notable, with 34% needing treatment for alcohol and 14% for drug misuse. The staffing crisis was influenced by occupational illnesses, poor working conditions, inexperienced staff, and limited career progression. Conclusions: Occupational health challenges highlight the need for interventions to improve mental health support, workplace safety, and working conditions. Industry governing bodies and racing authorities should implement frameworks and standards that ensure safe, supportive, and sustainable work environments. Racing yards should prioritize career progression and educational programs to safeguard the well-being and longevity of this workforce.
Publication Date: 2025-12-16 PubMed ID: 41399282PubMed Central: PMC12963471DOI: 10.1177/21650799251388471Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Systematic Review
- Review
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
Overview
- This research article systematically reviews existing studies on the occupational health and well-being of stable staff and trainers in the thoroughbred horse racing industry, highlighting significant physical, mental, and occupational challenges faced by this workforce internationally.
Introduction to the Research
- Stable staff and trainers are crucial for the proper functioning of horse racing yards and the welfare of thoroughbred horses.
- Despite their importance, little research has focused on the occupational health and mental well-being of these workers who form the backbone of the industry.
- The article aims to gather and synthesize available scientific evidence from various countries to provide a comprehensive understanding of the workforce’s health and challenges.
Methodology
- The study conducted a systematic narrative review following PRISMA guidelines, which ensures a transparent and reproducible synthesis of evidence from multiple studies.
- Searches were performed in major databases — PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus — using targeted keywords related to occupational health and mental well-being in the thoroughbred racing workforce.
- Studies included in the review had to provide data on either physical or mental health of stable staff and trainers, and must have full-text availability.
- From a total of 2,456 screened studies, only 21 met the inclusion criteria, illustrating a limited but relevant body of research.
Key Findings
- Injury Rates: Nearly half (43%) of stable staff reported experiencing injuries within the last year, with 18% requiring medical treatment, pointing to physically hazardous working conditions.
- Mental Health Concerns:
- High prevalence of anxiety (65%) and depression (60%) among injured staff.
- Stress was highly reported (up to 80%) especially among UK stable staff and trainers, largely due to financial pressures and inadequate support systems.
- Sleep and Psychological Distress: Poor sleep quality was linked to daytime dysfunction and increased psychological distress, further compounding mental health issues.
- Substance Misuse: There was a notable incidence of substance misuse with 34% requiring treatment for alcohol misuse and 14% for drug misuse, suggesting coping mechanisms for occupational stress.
- Staffing Crisis Factors:
- High rates of occupational illnesses and poor working conditions were major contributors.
- The workforce struggles included inexperienced staff and limited opportunities for career advancement.
Implications and Recommendations
- The findings illuminate serious occupational health challenges that need to be addressed in the thoroughbred racing industry.
- There is a clear need for intervention programs focused on:
- Mental health support services for stable staff and trainers
- Improving workplace safety to reduce injury rates
- Enhancing working conditions to prevent burnout and stress
- Industry governing bodies and racing authorities are encouraged to establish frameworks and safety standards that promote sustainable and supportive work environments.
- Racing yards should focus on career progression pathways and educational programs, which can:
- Retain experienced staff by providing motivation and opportunities for growth
- Ensure the long-term well-being and retention of this essential workforce
Conclusion
- This systematic narrative review emphasizes the urgent need to recognize and address the health and well-being challenges faced by stable staff and trainers in thoroughbred horse racing.
- By taking a holistic approach involving mental health, physical safety, and career development, the industry can foster a healthier, safer, and more sustainable workforce.
- Such improvements will not only benefit the workers but also support better horse welfare and the overall success of the racing industry.
Cite This Article
APA
Tobin G, Cullen S, Dunne A, Warrington G, Pugh J, McGoldrick A, Nolan C, Losty C.
(2025).
A Systematic Narrative Review of Stable Staff and Trainers’ Occupational Health and Well-Being in Thoroughbred Horse Racing: An International Perspective.
Workplace Health Saf, 74(4), 164-174.
https://doi.org/10.1177/21650799251388471 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, South East Technological University.
- School of Health and Human Performance, Dublin City University.
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, South East Technological University.
- Sport and Human Performance Research Centre, University of Limerick.
- Irish Horse Racing Regulatory Board, The Curragh.
- Irish Horse Racing Regulatory Board, The Curragh.
- Horse Racing Ireland, The Curragh.
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, South East Technological University.
MeSH Terms
- Humans
- Horses
- Animals
- Occupational Health
- Sports
- Mental Health
Conflict of Interest Statement
Conflict of InterestThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
References
This article includes 32 references
- Bullock B, Critchley C, Davis H, Tirlea L, Fitzgerald K, Farmer J. Sleep and psychological wellbeing of racehorse industry workers: A survey of Australian trainers. Australian Journal of Psychology 71(2), 146–153.
- Bush A, Westneat S, Browning SR, Swanberg JE. Missed work due to occupational illness among Hispanic horse workers. Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health 24(2), 89–107.
- Butler D, Valenchon M, Annan R, Whay HR, Mullan S. Stakeholder perceptions of the challenges to racehorse welfare. Animals 9(6), Article 363.
- Byrd M. Study of thoroughbred workers: Physical health, mental health, and income. .
- Castañeda H, Kline N, Dickey N. Health concerns of migrant backstretch workers at horse racetracks. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved 21(2), 489–503.
- Cowley S, Bowman B, Lawrance M. Injuries in the Victorian thoroughbred racing industry. British Journal of Sports Medicine 41(10), 639–643.
- Davies E, Liddiard S, McConn-Palfreyman WJ, Parker JK, Cameron LJ, Williams JM. Anxiety and depression in British horseracing stud and stable staff following occupational injury. Animals 13(21), Article 3337.
- Davies E, McConn-Palfreyman W, Parker JK, Cameron LJ, Williams JM. Is injury an occupational hazard for horseracing staff?. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19(4), Article 2054.
- Davies E, McConn-Palfreyman W, Williams JM, Lovell GP. A narrative review of the risk factors and psychological consequences of injury in horseracing stable staff. Comparative Exercise Physiology 17(4), 303–317.
- Farmer J, Davis H, Bullock B, Critchley C. ‘And they’re off’ Industry health promotion investigation in Victorian thoroughbred participants (Victoria) [Report]. .
- Filby M, Jackson C, Turner M. Only falls and horses: Accidents and injuries in racehorse training. Occupational Medicine 62(5), 343–349.
- Hyland P, Vallières F, Shevlin M, Bentall RP, Butter S, Hartman TK, Karatzias T, Martinez AP, McBride O, Murphy J, Fox R. State of Ireland’s mental health: Findings from a nationally representative survey. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences 31, Article e47.
- Iba K, Wada T, Kawaguchi S, Fujisaki T, Yamashita T, Ishii S. Horse-related injuries in a thoroughbred stabling area in Japan. Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery 121(9), 501–504.
- Juckes E, Williams JM, Challinor C, Davies E. Racing to a staffing solution: An investigation into the current staffing crisis within the UK horseracing industry. Comparative Exercise Physiology 17(1), 73–89.
- Kelloway EK, Dimoff JK, Gilbert S. Mental health in the workplace. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior 10, 363–387.
- Kiesler J, Vaughn LM, Kaur G. “Voicing” the social determinants of health on the backside of a horse racetrack. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved 24(3), 1074–1088.
- Kim K-W, Lee S-G, Hwang G-S. The mental health and occupational characteristic of horse stable hand workers in Korea. Safety and Health at Work 10(3), 384–388.
- King L, Cullen SJ, O’Connor S, McGoldrick A, Pugh J, Warrington G, Losty C. Racehorse trainer mental health: Prevalence and risk factors. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 101, Article 103423.
- Klemm P. The economics of horse racing. The Plaid Horse Magazine .
- McConn-Palfreyman W, Littlewood M, Nesti M. ‘A lifestyle rather than a job’: A review and recommendations on mental health support within the British horse racing industry. .
- Public Perspectives Ltd. Racing industry recruitment, skills, and retention survey 2021 report. .
- Ramírez-Vielma R, Vaccari P, Cova F, Saldivia S, Vielma-Aguilera A, Grandón P. Interventions to reduce the stigma of mental health at work: A narrative review. Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica 36, Article 14.
- Rospenda KM, Richman JA, McGinley M, Moilanen KL, Lin T, Johnson TP, Cloninger L, Shannon CA, Hopkins T. Effects of chronic workplace harassment on mental health and alcohol misuse: A long-term follow-up. BMC Public Health 23(1), Article 1430.
- Schefstad AJ, Tiegel SA. An invisible population and its visible problem: Alcohol and substance abuse among horsecare workers. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly 15(4), 1–16.
- Schefstad AJ, Tiegel SA, Jones AC. Treating a visible problem within a hidden population: A working sports EAP in the horse racing industry. Employee Assistance Quarterly 14(4), 17–32.
- Speed H, Andersen MB. The health and welfare of thoroughbred horse trainers and stable employees (Technical report). .
- Swanberg J, Clouser JM, Gan W, Flunker JC, Westneat S, Browning SR. Poor safety climate, long work hours, and musculoskeletal discomfort among Latino horse farm workers. Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health 72(5), 264–271.
- Swanberg JE, Clouser JM, Bush A, Westneat S. From the horse worker’s mouth: A detailed account of injuries experienced by Latino horse workers. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 18(3), 513–521.
- . Eight countries where horse racing is popular. The Irish Field .
- Torales J, Aveiro-Róbalo TR, Ríos-González C, Barrios I, Almirón-Santacruz J, González-Urbieta I, Caycho-Rodríguez T, Castaldelli-Maia JM, Ventriglio A. Discrimination, stigma, and mental health: What’s next?. International Review of Psychiatry 35(3–4), 242–250.
- Wu A, Roemer EC, Kent KB, Ballard DW, Goetzel RZ. Organizational best practices supporting mental health in the workplace. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 63(12), e925–e931.
- Zulkarnain Z, Ginting EDJ, Novliadi F, Pasaribu S. Workplace bullying and its impact on quality of work life. Kontakt 25, 31–36.
Citations
This article has been cited 0 times.Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists