Descriptive epidemiology and risk factors for eliminations from Fédération Equestre Internationale endurance rides due to lameness and metabolic reasons (2008-2011).
Abstract: There is limited information on international endurance rides and on risk factors for eliminations. Objective: To describe and compare the frequency of occurrence of elimination due to lameness and metabolic reasons from Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) endurance rides (≥100 km) during 2008-2011 in all countries and to assess risk factors for elimination due to lameness and metabolic reasons. Methods: Retrospective unmatched case-control study. Methods: Data collected from the FEI website included the following: the country where the ride was held; the year; the result for each horse-rider combination; the number of entries in each class; whether the class was restricted to young riders; and the winning speed. Descriptive data were summarised, and univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to assess risk factors for eliminations due to lameness and metabolic reasons. Results: Between 2008 and 2011, there were 30,741 horse starts at FEI endurance rides of 100-160 km distance in 47 countries. Of all started horses, 30% were eliminated for lameness. Eliminations for metabolic reasons were recorded for 8.7% of all started horses. There was a large range of winning speeds amongst countries (10.2-29.5 km/h). Multivariable analysis revealed that the risk of elimination due to lameness was significantly associated with the country where the ride was held, the year, the distance of the ride and the number of entries. Elimination for metabolic reasons was significantly associated with the country where the ride was held, the year and the number of entries. Conclusions: Differences existed among elimination rates at FEI endurance rides in different countries (2008-2011). Lameness was the most common reason for elimination globally. Conclusions: These results provide objective global data on endurance riding that can replace anecdotal information, which has been the base of opinions, decisions and regulations. The Summary is available in Chinese - see Supporting information.
© 2013 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2013-04-09 PubMed ID: 23574513DOI: 10.1111/evj.12069Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article explores international endurance horse riding competitions from 2008-2011, assessing the most common reasons for horse eliminations in these events, primarily lameness and metabolic-related causes. The study also identifies several risk factors linked to these outcomes.
Objective and Methodology
- The main goal of this research was to understand and compare the frequency of horse eliminations due to lameness and metabolic reasons from Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) endurance rides that were 100 km or more.
- This information was obtained from a study carried out retrospectively and is hence termed an unmatched case-control study. Data for the research were collected directly from the FEI website and spans from 2008 to 2011.
- The data captured covered a wide array of factors such as the country where the ride was held, the year of the ride, the outcome for each horse-rider combination, the number of entries in each class, the presence of restrictions for young riders, and the race’s winning speed.
- To identify the risk factors for elimination, both univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed on the collected data.
Results and Findings
- The study found that between 2008 and 2011, there were 30,741 instances of horse starts at FEI endurance rides of 100-160 km distance in 47 countries.
- Out of all the started horses, 30% were eliminated due to lameness, and 8.7% of all started horses were eliminated due to metabolic issues.
- There was a significant variance in the winning speeds amongst countries, ranging from 10.2-29.5 km/h.
- The multivariable analysis identified that the risk of elimination due to lameness was significantly tied to several key factors- the country hosting the ride, the year, the ride’s distance, and the number of entries.
- Elimination due to metabolic reasons had a significant correlation with the country hosting the ride, the year, and the number of entries.
Conclusions
- The research found clear disparities between elimination rates at FEI endurance rides in different countries from 2008 to 2011. Lameness emerged as the most prevalent reason for elimination globally.
- The findings from this research provide important objective global data on endurance riding. This information replaces anecdotal knowledge that has often been the base for opinions, decisions, and regulations surrounding this sport.
Cite This Article
APA
Nagy A, Murray JK, Dyson SJ.
(2013).
Descriptive epidemiology and risk factors for eliminations from Fédération Equestre Internationale endurance rides due to lameness and metabolic reasons (2008-2011).
Equine Vet J, 46(1), 38-44.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12069 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Centre for Equine Studies, Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Welfare
- Animals
- Case-Control Studies
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses / injuries
- Lameness, Animal / etiology
- Metabolic Diseases / etiology
- Metabolic Diseases / veterinary
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Physical Endurance
- Retrospective Studies
- Risk Factors
- Sports
Citations
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