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Equine veterinary journal2011; 44(4); 425-431; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00481.x

Characteristics of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racehorses that sustained a complete scapular fracture.

Abstract: To determine if scapular fractures occur in racehorses with distinctive characteristics. Objective: To test the hypothesis that Thoroughbred (TB) and Quarter Horse (QH) racehorses with a scapular fracture have similar characteristics that are different from those of their respective racetrack populations. Methods: Necropsy findings, case details, last race information and career earnings for TB and QH racehorses that had a scapular fracture in California between 1990 and 2008 were retrospectively compared between breeds. Horse signalment, career earnings, career starts and race characteristics were obtained for all California racehorses. Comparisons were made between affected horses, other racehorses that died, and all horses that raced, in California during the 19 year period. Results: Seventy-three TB and 28 QH racehorses had a similar, complete comminuted scapular fracture with an articular component, and right forelimb predilection. The QHs had a higher incidence of scapular fracture incurred during racing than TBs (0.98 vs. 0.39/1000 starters). The TB and QH incident rates for musculoskeletal deaths incurred racing were 20.5 and 17.5/1000 starters, respectively; however, a greater proportion of TB musculoskeletal deaths occurred training (40% vs. 8%). Horses with a scapular fracture were more likely to be male and aged 2 or ≥ 5 years than the racetrack population. Most affected QHs (64%) were 2-year-olds; most TBs (74%) were aged ≥ 3 years. Scapular fractures occurred more commonly during racing in QHs (70%) than TBs (44%). Race-related scapular fracture was more likely to occur in a Maiden race than in a non-Maiden race. Horses with a scapular fracture had fewer career starts than the racetrack population. Conclusions: Despite breed differences for signalment and exercise distances, both breeds incur a complete scapular fracture that is more likely to occur in the right scapula of young and older, male racehorses, early in their race career or after few races. Quarter Horses sustain a catastrophic scapular fracture more frequently than TBs.
© 2011 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2011-09-25 PubMed ID: 21950466DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00481.xGoogle 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 research article investigates the characteristics of Thoroughbred (TB) and Quarter Horse (QH) racehorses that have suffered a scapular (shoulder blade) fracture. It highlights that both breeds, particularly younger and older males, early in their race career or after a few races, share similar features that increase their risk of this type of injury.

Objective and Methods of the Study

  • The study’s objective was to verify the hypothesis that TB and QH racehorses with a scapular fracture share certain traits that distinguish them from the general racetrack populations. The researchers aimed to determine these particular characteristics, which may contribute to a higher risk of sustaining this specific injury.
  • To accomplish this, the researchers analyzed necropsy findings, case details, last race information and career earnings for TB and QH racehorses in California who had endured a scapular fracture between 1990 and 2008.
  • They compared various parameters, including the horse’s signalment (age, sex, breed), career earnings, number of career starts, and race characteristics, amongst all California racehorses. They then compared the figures between the affected horses, other racehorses that had died, and all the racehorses that raced in California during this 19-year period.

Results of the Study

  • During the study period, 73 TB and 28 QH racehorses were identified to have a complete comminuted scapular fracture with an articular component, predominantly occurring in the right forelimb.
  • Overall, QHs were found to have a higher incidence of scapular fractures during racing than TBs.
  • In terms of musculoskeletal deaths occurring during racing, the rates were similar for TBs and QHs. However, more TB deaths happened during training as compared to QHs.
  • Horses suffering from a scapular fracture were more likely to be males and aged 2 or 5 and above compared to general racetrack populations. Among the affected horses, the majority of QHs were 2-year-olds, and most TBs were 3 years or older.
  • Scapular fractures were found to occur more frequently during races in QHs as compared to TBs.
  • Race-related scapular fractures were more likely in Maiden races (races for horses that have not yet won a race) than non-Maiden races.
  • Horses with a scapular fracture had fewer career starts than the overall racetrack population.

Conclusions of the Study

  • Despite breed differences in age and exercise distances, both TBs and QHs are prone to incurring complete scapular fractures. This was observed more commonly in young and older male racehorses early in their racing career or after only a few races.
  • The study also revealed that QHs tend to sustain a catastrophic scapular fracture more frequently than TBs.

Cite This Article

APA
Vallance SA, Case JT, Entwistle RC, Kinde H, Barr BC, Moore J, Anderson ML, Arthur RM, Stover SM. (2011). Characteristics of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racehorses that sustained a complete scapular fracture. Equine Vet J, 44(4), 425-431. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00481.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 44
Issue: 4
Pages: 425-431

Researcher Affiliations

Vallance, S A
  • Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of California, CA, USA.
Case, J T
    Entwistle, R C
      Kinde, H
        Barr, B C
          Moore, J
            Anderson, M L
              Arthur, R M
                Stover, S M

                  MeSH Terms

                  • Aging
                  • Animals
                  • California
                  • Forelimb
                  • Fractures, Bone / veterinary
                  • Horse Diseases / pathology
                  • Horses / injuries
                  • Retrospective Studies
                  • Scapula / pathology
                  • Sports
                  • Time Factors

                  Citations

                  This article has been cited 9 times.
                  1. Schild CO, Nyaoke A, Asin J, Henderson EE, Blea JA, Stover SM, Uzal FA. A retrospective study of radial fractures in racehorses in California, 2006-2022. J Vet Diagn Invest 2025 Jul 23;:10406387251336267.
                    doi: 10.1177/10406387251336267pubmed: 40702641google scholar: lookup
                  2. Crawford KL, Finnane A, Greer RM, Barnes TS, Phillips CJC, Woldeyohannes SM, Bishop EL, Perkins NR, Ahern BJ. Survival Analysis of Training Methodologies and Other Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Injury in 2-Year-Old Thoroughbred Racehorses in Queensland, Australia. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:698298.
                    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.698298pubmed: 34796223google scholar: lookup
                  3. Physick-Sheard P, Avison A, Sears W. Factors Associated with Fatality in Ontario Thoroughbred Racehorses: 2003-2015. Animals (Basel) 2021 Oct 13;11(10).
                    doi: 10.3390/ani11102950pubmed: 34679971google scholar: lookup
                  4. Samol MA, Uzal FA, Blanchard PC, Arthur RM, Stover SM. Sudden death caused by spinal cord injury associated with vertebral fractures and fetlock failure in a Thoroughbred racehorse. J Vet Diagn Invest 2021 Jul;33(4):788-791.
                    doi: 10.1177/10406387211018289pubmed: 34041971google scholar: lookup
                  5. Crawford KL, Finnane A, Phillips CJC, Greer RM, Woldeyohannes SM, Perkins NR, Kidd LJ, Ahern BJ. The Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Injuries in Thoroughbred Racehorses in Queensland, Australia: How These Vary for Two-Year-Old and Older Horses and with Type of Injury. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jan 21;11(2).
                    doi: 10.3390/ani11020270pubmed: 33494508google scholar: lookup
                  6. Crawford KL, Ahern BJ, Perkins NR, Phillips CJC, Finnane A. The Effect of Combined Training and Racing High-Speed Exercise History on Musculoskeletal Injuries in Thoroughbred Racehorses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Current Literature. Animals (Basel) 2020 Nov 11;10(11).
                    doi: 10.3390/ani10112091pubmed: 33187122google scholar: lookup
                  7. 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).
                    doi: 10.3390/ani10112046pubmed: 33167429google scholar: lookup
                  8. Hitchens PL, Hill AE, Stover SM. Relationship Between Historical Lameness, Medication Usage, Surgery, and Exercise With Catastrophic Musculoskeletal Injury in Racehorses. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:217.
                    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00217pubmed: 30246014google scholar: lookup
                  9. Hitchens PL, Hill AE, Stover SM. Jockey Falls, Injuries, and Fatalities Associated With Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse Racing in California, 2007-2011. Orthop J Sports Med 2013 Jan-Jun;1(1):2325967113492625.
                    doi: 10.1177/2325967113492625pubmed: 26535231google scholar: lookup
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