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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Abnormalities detected at pre-purchase examination of Nation...
Equine veterinary journal2019; 52(2); 281-289; doi: 10.1111/evj.13164

Abnormalities detected at pre-purchase examination of National Hunt racehorses presented at sale.

Abstract: Few studies are available concerning prevalences of abnormalities in the Thoroughbred horse population. Objective: Determine the prevalence of commonly observed abnormalities in a National Hunt Thoroughbred population using results of pre-purchase examinations conducted at Thoroughbred sales venues. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Methods: Veterinary pre-purchase examination certificates for 13,603 3- and 4-year-old Thoroughbred National Hunt horses from Tattersalls Ireland, Goffs Ireland and Doncaster Bloodstock Sales Ltd. (DBS) Sales were analysed. All conditions noted by the veterinarians were recorded to determine the prevalence of abnormalities. Results: Abnormalities were recorded in 73.6% of horses; 12.0% had abnormalities likely to prejudice their use for racing. Metacarpal/metatarsal exostoses and tarsal-plantar desmitis affected 17.1 and 19.4% of the sample respectively, while 9.9% were found to make abnormal respiratory noises and 5.3% had recurrent laryngeal neuropathy. Age, year of birth and sex significantly affected the prevalence of many abnormalities (P<0.001). The proportions of horses sold differed significantly between horses with and without some abnormalities, with unaffected horses significantly more likely to be sold (e.g., prejudicial findings present vs. non-prejudicial/none, 38.1% vs. 77.6% respectively, P<0.001). A range of abnormalities significantly negatively affected the price at sale (P<0.001). Significantly higher proportions of horses in the lower price categories had multiple abnormalities (P<0.001). Conclusions: The study consisted only of horses entered into store horse sales and presented for sale. Horses kept for racing or breeding purposes or horses withdrawn prior to the panel veterinary pre-purchase examination were not included. The upper respiratory tract was only examined endoscopically in horses found to have an abnormal respiratory noise. Conclusions: A large proportion of 3- and 4-year-old Thoroughbred National Hunt horses intended for sale are affected by abnormalities. The prevalence of many abnormalities increases with age and certain abnormalities are viewed negatively by purchasers, affecting sale of the horse and achieved sale price.
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Publication Date: 2019-09-08 PubMed ID: 31418917DOI: 10.1111/evj.13164Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This study investigates the prevalence of physical abnormalities found in 3- and 4-year-old Thoroughbred National Hunt horses during pre-purchase examinations at sales venues. The research revealed a high frequency of these abnormalities, with many affecting the sale price and likelihood of the horse being sold.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study to achieve their objectives.
  • They analyzed Veterinary pre-purchase examination certificates for 13,603 Thoroughbreds of ages 3 and 4, obtained from Tattersalls Ireland, Goffs Ireland and Doncaster Bloodstock Sales Ltd.
  • Every condition noted by the veterinarians during these examinations was recorded to discover the overall prevalence of abnormalities.

Findings of the Study

  • Results showed that 73.6% of the horses examined presented some kind of abnormality.
  • 12.0% of these horses had abnormalities that could likely interfere with their racing performance or altogether prevent them from racing.
  • The most common abnormalities identified were metacarpal/metatarsal exostoses and tarsal-plantar desmitis, which affected 17.1% and 19.4% of the horses respectively.
  • 9.9% of the horses exhibited abnormal respiratory noises while 5.3% had recurrent laryngeal neuropathy.
  • Significant variations in the prevalence of different abnormalities were observed based on factors such as age, year of birth and sex (P<0.001).

Impact of Abnormalities on Sales

  • The study also demonstrated that the presence of abnormalities significantly affected sales, with healthy horses being more likely to be sold.
  • For instance, 77.6% of unaffected horses were sold compared to just 38.1% of those with prejudicial abnormalities (P<0.001).
  • A variety of abnormalities significantly negatively impacted the price a horse would obtain at sale (P<0.001).
  • A higher proportion of horses were observed in lower price categories if they had more than one abnormality (P<0.001).

Limitations and Conclusions

  • The research was restricted to horses presented for sale. Horses kept for racing or breeding, or those withdrawn before the pre-purchase examination, were not included in the study.
  • The upper respiratory tract was endoscopically examined only in horses that had abnormal respiratory noises.
  • Despite these limitations, the study importantly highlights that a large percentage of 3- and 4-year-old Thoroughbred National Hunt horses for sale are affected by abnormalities.
  • The prevalence of many abnormalities increases with the horse’s age, and the presence of certain abnormalities negatively affects a horse’s saleability and sale price.

Cite This Article

APA
Barrett E, Arkins S. (2019). Abnormalities detected at pre-purchase examination of National Hunt racehorses presented at sale. Equine Vet J, 52(2), 281-289. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13164

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 52
Issue: 2
Pages: 281-289

Researcher Affiliations

Barrett, E
  • Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
  • Oaklands Equine Hospital, Yarm, North Yorkshire, UK.
Arkins, S
  • Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Commerce
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Horse Diseases
  • Horses
  • Ireland
  • Retrospective Studies

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Pimenta J, Cotovio M. Equine Veterinarian Perspectives on Mucocutaneous Tumors in Horses: A Survey-Based Study in Portugal. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jun 23;15(13).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15131853pubmed: 40646752google scholar: lookup
  2. Folgmann MS, Stock KF, Feige K, Delling U. Clinical findings of candidate stallions presented for licensing at all German Warmblood horse-breeding associations in 2018-2020. Equine Vet J 2025 Nov;57(6):1584-1591.
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