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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Description of veterinary events and risk factors for fatali...
Equine veterinary journal2017; 49(6); 700-705; doi: 10.1111/evj.12676

Description of veterinary events and risk factors for fatality in National Hunt flat racing Thoroughbreds in Great Britain (2000-2013).

Abstract: No large-scale studies have described veterinary events occurring in National Hunt (NH) flat racing or investigated risk factors for fatality in this race type. Objective: To describe injuries and conditions requiring veterinary attendance on race day and to determine risk factors for racehorse fatality in NH flat racing in Great Britain. Methods: Retrospective cohort study (2000-2013). Methods: Information from all NH flat races held over the study period, including horse, race and veterinary event report details, was combined. Veterinary events were described by type and anatomical structure(s) affected. Incidence per 1000 starts were calculated for all veterinary events and by event group, and stratified by certain horse- and race-level variables. Risk factors for fatality were determined using multivariable logistic regression modelling. Results: Over the 14-year study period, 544 veterinary events were recorded, providing an overall incidence of 13.0 events per 1000 starts. The most common events were bone injuries (23.5%) and tendon or ligament injuries (16.4%). A fatal outcome was recorded for 117 horses (21.5% of all events), resulting in an incidence of 2.9 deaths per 1000 starts. Odds of fatality were 4.33 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.59-11.82; P = 0.02) times higher in races restricted to conditional jockeys compared to those that were not. Horses starting in their first race experienced 1.44 (95% CI 1.00-2.08; P = 0.05) times the odds of death compared to those that had raced before. Conclusions: Classification of veterinary events frequently relied upon presumptive diagnosis. Conclusions: This study provides a benchmark for the ongoing surveillance of veterinary events in NH flat racing. These results support the phasing out of NH flat races restricted to conditional jockeys and highlight the need for further work to establish why NH flat racing Thoroughbreds competing in their first race are at increased risk for death.
© 2017 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2017-04-04 PubMed ID: 28235142DOI: 10.1111/evj.12676Google 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.

The research paper is a comprehensive investigation of the types of veterinary events that occur in National Hunt flat racing, with a particular focus on understanding the risk factors inherent to fatalities among the racing horses, focusing on data collected over a 14-year period from 2000 to 2013.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers carried out a retrospective cohort study. This type of study applies statistical analysis to data collected over a certain period, in this case from National Hunt (NH) flat races held from 2000 to 2013.
  • Data regarding horse, race, and veterinary event report details were put together, and the veterinary events were classified by type and bodily structure affected.
  • The researchers used incidence (frequency of occurrence) per 1000 starts to measure the prevalence of each kind of veterinary event. This incidence was further subdivided by event group and certain variables at both the level of the horse and the race.
  • The researchers used multivariable logistic regression modelling, which is a statistical tool used to predict the odds of a certain event happening (in this case, fatality), to determine the risk factors for fatality.

Research Findings

  • Throughout the study period of 14 years, there were 544 veterinary events documented. This translates to an incidence of 13.0 events per 1000 starts.
  • The most frequent events were bone injuries, which made up 23.5% of the events, and tendon or ligament injuries, accounting for 16.4% of the events.
  • A total of 117 fatalities were recorded, affecting 21.5% of all events. This indicates an incidence of 2.9 deaths for every 1000 starts.
  • The study revealed that the odds of a fatal outcome were 4.33 times higher in races restricted to conditional jockeys than in unrestricted races.
  • Horses running in their first race had 1.44 times the odds of death compared to horses that had raced previously.

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • The classification of veterinary events often depended on presumptive diagnosis.
  • This study serves as an important reference for constant monitoring of veterinary events in NH flat racing.
  • The findings of the study indicate the need for gradually eliminating NH flat races that are restricted to conditional jockeys.
  • The research also calls for further exploration to understand why thoroughbred horses participating in their first NH flat race are at an increased risk of death.

Cite This Article

APA
Allen SE, Rosanowski SM, Stirk AJ, Verheyen KLP. (2017). Description of veterinary events and risk factors for fatality in National Hunt flat racing Thoroughbreds in Great Britain (2000-2013). Equine Vet J, 49(6), 700-705. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12676

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 49
Issue: 6
Pages: 700-705

Researcher Affiliations

Allen, S E
  • Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health Group, Department of Production and Population Health, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, UK.
Rosanowski, S M
  • Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health Group, Department of Production and Population Health, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, UK.
Stirk, A J
  • British Horseracing Authority, London, UK.
Verheyen, K L P
  • Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health Group, Department of Production and Population Health, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Fractures, Bone / epidemiology
  • Fractures, Bone / mortality
  • Fractures, Bone / veterinary
  • Horses / injuries
  • Ligaments / injuries
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Running
  • Sports
  • Tendon Injuries / epidemiology
  • Tendon Injuries / mortality
  • Tendon Injuries / veterinary
  • United Kingdom / epidemiology

Citations

This article has been cited 16 times.
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