FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Equine veterinary journal2007; 39(2); 143-148; doi: 10.2746/042516407x159132

Descriptive analysis of retirement of Thoroughbred racehorses due to tendon injuries at the Hong Kong Jockey Club (1992-2004).

Abstract: This study was part of a programme to optimise the longevity and maximise the health and welfare of the Thoroughbred racehorses in Hong Kong. Injuries to the superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendon are the most common veterinary reason for premature retirement in this population. Objective: To describe the frequency and pattern of retirements associated with SDF tendon injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses and to compare the characteristics of these horses with those that retired for other reasons. Methods: A retrospective analysis of retirement records documented in the Hong Kong Jockey Club clinical database between 1992 and 2004 was conducted. As this is complete census data, no statistical inference to the population is necessary. Results: The mean annual cumulative incidence of retirements due to tendon injury was 3.2% accounting for 14% of all retirements. The risk of tendon injury increased over the 12 year period from 23-4.2%. The racing career, number of starts and earnings of horses retired with tendon injuries were reduced by 25.6, 41.2 and 53.3%, respectively. Thirteen percent of these horses never raced in Hong Kong. A greater proportion of 3- and 4-year-olds and entire males were retired because of tendon injuries. Ninety-seven percent of injuries affected the forelimb, the right more frequently than the left. Only 19.7% of retired horses that had received ultrasound examination for SDF tendon injury retired for this reason. Conclusions: This study provides population based data on the frequency, career and economic losses associated with tendon injury induced retirement. Conclusions: This descriptive study has provided a useful resource for further case-control studies to investigate risk factors for retirement from racing due to tendon injury. This is the first step toward the development of management tools to reduce the incidence of tendon injury related retirement in Hong Kong.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2007-03-24 PubMed ID: 17378443DOI: 10.2746/042516407x159132Google 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.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 examines the retirement rate of Thoroughbred racehorses in Hong Kong due to tendon injuries, identifies the prevalence and patterns of these retirements, and compares these horses’ characteristics with those retired for other reasons. This is the first step towards developing strategies to reduce the incidence of tendon injury-related retirement in Hong Kong’s racehorses.

Objective and Methods

This research investigates the frequency, pattern and impacts of retirement associated with Superficial Digital Flexor (SDF) tendon injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses. Comparative analysis was made with those horses that retired due to non-tendon injury reasons. Researchers performed a retrospective analysis of retirement records from 1992 to 2004 using data from the Hong Kong Jockey Club clinical database.

  • As the data of all the retired horses was available, there was no need for statistical inference.

Results

The research results reveal several key findings:

  • The average annual cumulative incidence of retirements due to tendon injury was 3.2%, accounting for 14% of all retirements.
  • The risk of tendon injury increased from 2.3% to 4.2% over the 12-year period.
  • The racehorses that retired due to tendon injuries had comparatively shorter careers, lesser starts, and lower earnings, reduced by 25.6%, 41.2%, and 53.3% respectively.
  • Younger horses (3- and 4-year-olds) and uncastrated male horses were more likely to retire due to tendon injuries.
  • A significant 97% of the injuries affected the forelimb, with the right limb affected more frequently than the left.
  • Among the retired horses that underwent ultrasound examination for SDF tendon injury, only 19.7% retired for this reason.

Conclusions and Future Directions

The research provides comprehensive data on the impacts and prevalence of tendon injury-induced retirements in Thoroughbred racehorses in Hong Kong. It supplies significant information for future case-control studies to investigate the risk factors leading to retirement due to tendon injuries, contributing to the development of management tools to reduce such instances.

This study is the first step towards understanding and improving the longevity, health, and welfare of Thoroughbred racehorses in Hong Kong by reducing tendon injury-related retirements.

Cite This Article

APA
Lam KH, Parkin TD, Riggs CM, Morgan KL. (2007). Descriptive analysis of retirement of Thoroughbred racehorses due to tendon injuries at the Hong Kong Jockey Club (1992-2004). Equine Vet J, 39(2), 143-148. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516407x159132

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 39
Issue: 2
Pages: 143-148

Researcher Affiliations

Lam, K H
  • Department of Veterinary Regulation and International Liaison, Hong Kong Jockey Club, Sha Tin, N.T., Hong Kong.
Parkin, T D H
    Riggs, C M
      Morgan, K L

        MeSH Terms

        • Age Factors
        • Animal Welfare
        • Animals
        • Female
        • Forelimb / injuries
        • Horses / injuries
        • Male
        • Physical Conditioning, Animal / adverse effects
        • Prevalence
        • Retrospective Studies
        • Risk Factors
        • Sex Factors
        • Sports
        • Tendon Injuries / diagnosis
        • Tendon Injuries / diagnostic imaging
        • Tendon Injuries / veterinary
        • Ultrasonography

        Citations

        This article has been cited 28 times.
        1. Panizzi L, Dittmer KE, Vignes M, Doucet JS, Gedye K, Waterland MR, Rogers CW, Sano H, McIlwraith CW, Riley CB. Plasma and Synovial Fluid Cell-Free DNA Concentrations Following Induction of Osteoarthritis in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Mar 14;13(6).
          doi: 10.3390/ani13061053pubmed: 36978592google scholar: lookup
        2. Doll CU, von Pueckler K, Offhaus J, Berner D, Burk J. Characterization of Equine Chronic Tendon Lesions in Low- and High-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Vet Sci 2022 Jun 15;9(6).
          doi: 10.3390/vetsci9060297pubmed: 35737349google scholar: lookup
        3. Melotti L, Carolo A, Elshazly N, Boesso F, Da Dalt L, Gabai G, Perazzi A, Iacopetti I, Patruno M. Case Report: Repeated Intralesional Injections of Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells Combined With Platelet-Rich Plasma for Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon Healing in a Show Jumping Horse. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:843131.
          doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.843131pubmed: 35252428google scholar: lookup
        4. Iimori M, Tamura N, Seki K, Kasashima Y. Relationship between the ultrasonographic findings of suspected superficial digital flexor tendon injury and the prevalence of subsequent severe superficial digital flexor tendon injuries in Thoroughbred horses: a retrospective study. J Vet Med Sci 2022 Feb 23;84(2):261-265.
          doi: 10.1292/jvms.21-0028pubmed: 34937842google scholar: lookup
        5. O' Brien C, Pegg J. A Preliminary Investigation into Ridden Water Submersion Training as an Adjunct to Current Condition Training Protocols in Performance Horses. Animals (Basel) 2021 Sep 7;11(9).
          doi: 10.3390/ani11092629pubmed: 34573594google scholar: lookup
        6. Montano C, Auletta L, Greco A, Costanza D, Coluccia P, Del Prete C, Meomartino L, Pasolini MP. The Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Treatment of Tenodesmic Lesions in Horses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical and Experimental Data. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 12;11(3).
          doi: 10.3390/ani11030793pubmed: 33809227google scholar: lookup
        7. Crawford KL, Finnane A, Greer RM, Phillips CJC, Bishop EL, Woldeyohannes SM, Perkins NR, Ahern BJ. A Prospective Study of Training Methods for Two-Year-Old Thoroughbred Racehorses in Queensland, Australia, and Analysis of the Differences in Training Methods between Trainers of Varying Stable Sizes. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 25;11(4).
          doi: 10.3390/ani11040928pubmed: 33805873google scholar: lookup
        8. Depuydt E, Broeckx SY, Van Hecke L, Chiers K, Van Brantegem L, van Schie H, Beerts C, Spaas JH, Pille F, Martens A. The Evaluation of Equine Allogeneic Tenogenic Primed Mesenchymal Stem Cells in a Surgically Induced Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon Lesion Model. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:641441.
          doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.641441pubmed: 33748217google scholar: lookup
        9. Ribitsch I, Oreff GL, Jenner F. Regenerative Medicine for Equine Musculoskeletal Diseases. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jan 19;11(1).
          doi: 10.3390/ani11010234pubmed: 33477808google scholar: lookup
        10. Ribitsch I, Gueltekin S, Keith MF, Minichmair K, Peham C, Jenner F, Egerbacher M. Age-related changes of tendon fibril micro-morphology and gene expression. J Anat 2020 Apr;236(4):688-700.
          doi: 10.1111/joa.13125pubmed: 31792963google scholar: lookup
        11. Tsang AS, Dart AJ, Biasutti SA, Jeffcott LB, Smith MM, Little CB. Effects of tendon injury on uninjured regional tendons in the distal limb: An in-vivo study using an ovine tendinopathy model. PLoS One 2019;14(4):e0215830.
          doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215830pubmed: 31013317google scholar: lookup
        12. Spargo KE, Rubio-Martinez LM, Wheeler DP, Fletcher L, Carstens A. Catastrophic musculoskeletal injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses on racetracks in Gauteng, South Africa. J S Afr Vet Assoc 2019 Feb 28;90(0):e1-e5.
          doi: 10.4102/jsava.v90i0.1640pubmed: 30843400google scholar: lookup
        13. Alzola R, Easter C, Riggs CM, Gardner DS, Freeman SL. Ultrasonographic-based predictive factors influencing successful return to racing after superficial digital flexor tendon injuries in flat racehorses: A retrospective cohort study in 469 Thoroughbred racehorses in Hong Kong. Equine Vet J 2018 Sep;50(5):602-608.
          doi: 10.1111/evj.12810pubmed: 29352495google scholar: lookup
        14. Geburek F, Roggel F, van Schie HTM, Beineke A, Estrada R, Weber K, Hellige M, Rohn K, Jagodzinski M, Welke B, Hurschler C, Conrad S, Skutella T, van de Lest C, van Weeren R, Stadler PM. Effect of single intralesional treatment of surgically induced equine superficial digital flexor tendon core lesions with adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells: a controlled experimental trial. Stem Cell Res Ther 2017 Jun 5;8(1):129.
          doi: 10.1186/s13287-017-0564-8pubmed: 28583184google scholar: lookup
        15. Bavin EP, Smith O, Baird AE, Smith LC, Guest DJ. Equine Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells have a Reduced Tendon Differentiation Capacity Compared to Embryonic Stem Cells. Front Vet Sci 2015;2:55.
          doi: 10.3389/fvets.2015.00055pubmed: 26664982google scholar: lookup
        16. Takahashi T, Mukai K, Ohmura H, Aida H, Hiraga A. In vivo measurements of flexor tendon and suspensory ligament forces during trotting using the thoroughbred forelimb model. J Equine Sci 2014;25(1):15-22.
          doi: 10.1294/jes.25.15pubmed: 24834009google scholar: lookup
        17. Kihara R, Kasashima Y, Arai K, Miyamoto Y. Injury induces a change in the functional characteristics of cells recovered from equine tendon. J Equine Sci 2011;22(3):57-60.
          doi: 10.1294/jes.22.57pubmed: 24833988google scholar: lookup
        18. Rich T, Henderson LB, Becker DL, Cornell H, Patterson-Kane JC. Indicators of replicative damage in equine tendon fibroblast monolayers. BMC Vet Res 2013 Sep 11;9:180.
          doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-9-180pubmed: 24025445google scholar: lookup
        19. Georg R, Maria C, Gisela A, Bianca C. Autologous conditioned plasma as therapy of tendon and ligament lesions in seven horses. J Vet Sci 2010 Jun;11(2):173-5.
          doi: 10.4142/jvs.2010.11.2.173pubmed: 20458161google scholar: lookup
        20. Cinkara SD, Badıllı N, Güngör İH, Cihangiroğlu AÇ, Acısu TC, Özmen GK, Arkalı G, Bulan MS, Tektemur A, Toraman E, Kaya ŞÖ, Sönmez M, Gür S, Yüce A, Yılmaz Ö, Türk G. Intraepididymal platelet-rich plasma improves semen cryoresistance via antioxidant, lipid and molecular modulation during the non-breeding season in rams. Vet Res Commun 2026 Feb 28;50(3).
          doi: 10.1007/s11259-026-11130-6pubmed: 41762345google scholar: lookup
        21. Pécresse B, Moiroud C, Hanne-Poujade S, Hatrisse C, De Azevedo E, Coudry V, Jacquet S, Audigié F, Chateau H. Group and Individual Changes in Spinal Mobility During a 12-Week Rehabilitation Program Including Swimming in Horses with Axial Musculoskeletal Lesions. Animals (Basel) 2025 Dec 30;16(1).
          doi: 10.3390/ani16010103pubmed: 41514790google scholar: lookup
        22. Tommasa SD, Raspe S, Farí G, Imperante A, Brehm W. Autologous conditioned serum IRAP efficacy for tendon and ligament injuries in horses: An observational study. Open Vet J 2025;15(8):3787-3793.
          doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i8.43pubmed: 41036008google scholar: lookup
        23. Najeb M, Samy A, Rizk A, Mosbah E, Karrouf G. Regenerative biologics modulating inflammation and promoting tenogenesis in equine superficial digital flexor tendonitis: from molecular pathways to clinical translation. Ir Vet J 2025 Sep 17;78(1):21.
          doi: 10.1186/s13620-025-00309-zpubmed: 40963139google scholar: lookup
        24. Choi Y, Parkin T. Risk factors for superficial digital flexor tendinopathy in Thoroughbred racehorses in South Korea (2015-2019). Equine Vet J 2026 Jan;58(1):31-39.
          doi: 10.1111/evj.14493pubmed: 40104935google scholar: lookup
        25. Forbes B, Ho W, Parkes RSV, Sepulveda Caviedes MF, Pfau T, Martel DR. Associations between Racing Thoroughbred Movement Asymmetries and Racing and Training Direction. Animals (Basel) 2024 Apr 3;14(7).
          doi: 10.3390/ani14071086pubmed: 38612325google scholar: lookup
        26. Taguchi T, Lopez M, Takawira C. Viable tendon neotissue from adult adipose-derived multipotent stromal cells. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023;11:1290693.
          doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1290693pubmed: 38260742google scholar: lookup
        27. Altmann N, Bowlby C, Coughlin H, Belacic Z, Sullivan S, Durgam S. Interleukin-6 upregulates extracellular matrix gene expression and transforming growth factor β1 activity of tendon progenitor cells. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2023 Nov 22;24(1):907.
          doi: 10.1186/s12891-023-07047-9pubmed: 37993850google scholar: lookup
        28. Palomino Lago E, Jelbert ER, Baird A, Lam PY, Guest DJ. Equine induced pluripotent stem cells are responsive to inflammatory cytokines before and after differentiation into musculoskeletal cell types. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2023 Aug;59(7):514-527.
          doi: 10.1007/s11626-023-00800-3pubmed: 37582999google scholar: lookup
        Subscribe to our newsletter
        Join 100,113 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.