Characteristics of Endurance Competitions and Risk Factors for Elimination in New Zealand during Six Seasons of Competition (2010/11-2015/16).
Abstract: The welfare of horses in endurance competitions has been the focus of recent media attention. Epidemiological studies have examined the sport at the international (FEI) level. However, much of the participation in the sport occurs at a national level in preparation for FEI level competition. The aims of this study were to describe participation in, and risk factors for elimination, from New Zealand endurance competitions. Data were collated from all endurance competitions (≥40 km) held in New Zealand during the 2010/11-2015/16 competition seasons. There were 6885 starts (n = 775 horses, n = 665 riders), horses had a median age of 9 years (IQR 6.2-10.0) and had a median of 3 (IQR 2-5) starts per season. Accumulated ride distance per season per horse decreased from a median of 240 km/horse (IQR 120-440) in 2010/11 to 180 km/horse (IQR 80-320) in 2015/16. Ride entries were dominated by the 40 km (n = 2834, 41%) and 80 km (n = 2517, 37%) distances. Eliminations increased with ride distance, from 7% in 40 km rides to 53% in the 160 km rides. Lameness accounted for the majority of eliminations (64%). The odds of elimination due to lameness were significantly associated with ride distance, location (North or South island) and time of year. The 11% of starters eliminated for metabolic reasons of the horse had increased odds of elimination associated with horse age, ride distance, location and time of year.
Publication Date: 2019-08-27 PubMed ID: 31461901PubMed Central: PMC6770045DOI: 10.3390/ani9090611Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research examines horse endurance competitions in New Zealand and the factors that lead to the elimination of participants. The study aims to improve the welfare of horses in these events through data collected over six seasons (2010/11-2015/16).
About The Study
- This study was focused on characterizing the nature of participation in endurance competitions for horses in New Zealand. It aimed to identify and analyze risk factors contributing to the elimination of horses in these competitions.
- The researchers gathered data from all endurance competitions spanning a distance of 40 kilometres or more held in New Zealand during the competition seasons from 2010/11 to 2015/16.
Participation in Endurance Competitions
- The collected data included 6885 starts, involving 775 horses and 665 riders. The median age of the horses was 9 years.
- Each horse typically participated in three races per season. However, the study found a declining trend in the accumulated ride distance per season per horse: from 240 km/horse in the 2010/11 season to 180 km/horse in the 2015/16 season.
- The most common distances for the competitions were 40 km and 80 km, accounting for a combined 78% of all entries.
Elimination Causes and Related Factors
- The rate of elimination increased with the distance of the ride, ranging from 7% in 40 km rides to 53% in the 160 km rides.
- The majority of eliminations, 64%, were due to lameness in horses. The probability of elimination because of lameness correlated significantly with the distance of the ride, its location (either the North or South island), and the time of the year.
- Approximately 11% of starters were eliminated due to metabolic reasons associated with the horse. The odds of such an elimination increased with factors similar to those for lameness: the age of the horse, the ride distance, the location, and the season of the competition.
- Thus, the study identified various risk factors associated with the elimination of horses in endurance competitions, highlighting the need for proper preparation and condition monitoring for horse welfare in these events.
Cite This Article
APA
Legg KA, Weston JF, Gee EK, Bolwell CF, Bridges JP, Rogers CW.
(2019).
Characteristics of Endurance Competitions and Risk Factors for Elimination in New Zealand during Six Seasons of Competition (2010/11-2015/16).
Animals (Basel), 9(9).
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9090611 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, 4442 Palmerston North, New Zealand.
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, 4442 Palmerston North, New Zealand.
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, 4442 Palmerston North, New Zealand.
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, 4442 Palmerston North, New Zealand.
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, 4442 Palmerston North, New Zealand.
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, 4442 Palmerston North, New Zealand. C.W.Rogers@massey.ac.nz.
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, 4442 Palmerston North, New Zealand. C.W.Rogers@massey.ac.nz.
Grant Funding
- 5/2016 / New Zealand Equine Trust
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest. J.F.W. is involved in administration of endurance at a national level and is a FEI endurance veterinarian.
References
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