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Equine veterinary journal2004; 36(2); 167-173; doi: 10.2746/0425164044868684

Descriptive epidemiology of fractures occurring in British Thoroughbred racehorses in training.

Abstract: Musculoskeletal injury is the major cause of days lost from training and wastage in Thoroughbred racehorses. Little scientific information is available on the majority of injuries occurring in training. Objective: To estimate the incidence of fractures in British racehorses in training and describe the occurrence of different fracture types and bones involved. Methods: Thirteen UK racehorse trainers participated in a prospective study, providing data on horses in their care for 2 years. Details on horses, their daily exercise and fracture occurrence were recorded. Results: A total of 1178 horses provided 12,893 months at risk. Nontraumatic fracture incidence was 1.15/100 horse months (95% CI = 0.98, 1.35) and 78% of fractures occurred during training. A wide variety of fracture types and bones were involved, although at least 57% were stress fractures. Pelvic and tibial stress injuries accounted for 28% of fractures diagnosed. Conclusions: It is important to study injuries in training as well as in racing. The number of stress fractures suggests that training regimes for young Thoroughbreds could often be improved to create a more robust skeleton, able to withstand injury. Conclusions: Studying injuries in racehorses in training can provide a scientific basis for the design of safer training regimes.
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Publication Date: 2004-03-25 PubMed ID: 15038441DOI: 10.2746/0425164044868684Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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 research explores the rates of fractures in racehorses in the UK during training, finding that 78% of fractures occurred during training, many of which were stress fractures. The findings suggest that there can be improvements to the training regimens to make the horses’ skeletal systems more robust.

Study Objective and Methodology

This research was driven by the goal of understanding the incidence and types of fractures in British Thoroughbred racehorses during training, as this has been determined to be the most significant cause of lost training days. To provide concrete data on this, 13 UK racehorse trainers participated in a prospective study for two years, giving information about the horses, their daily exercise, and the occurrence of any fractures.

Key Findings

  • They recorded data from a total of 1178 horses, thereby accounting for 12,893 months at risk.
  • The researchers documented the non-traumatic fracture incidence at 1.15 per 100 horse months, with 78% of these injuries being sustained during training.
  • Various types of fractures were found, with over half being stress fractures.
  • Pelvic and tibial stress injuries were the most common, being responsible for 28% of diagnosed fractures.

Implications of the Research

The high number of fractures incurred during training indicates the need for improvements to training programs, in order to build a stronger skeletal structure able to resist injury. This can be applied to the training of young Thoroughbreds specifically. By directing scientific studies towards injuries sustained in training, the researchers hope to use findings to design safer training regimes.

Cite This Article

APA
Verheyen KL, Wood JL. (2004). Descriptive epidemiology of fractures occurring in British Thoroughbred racehorses in training. Equine Vet J, 36(2), 167-173. https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164044868684

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 36
Issue: 2
Pages: 167-173

Researcher Affiliations

Verheyen, K L R
  • Epidemiology Unit, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Suffolk CB8 7UU, UK.
Wood, J L N

    MeSH Terms

    • Age Factors
    • Animals
    • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
    • Athletic Injuries / etiology
    • Athletic Injuries / veterinary
    • Female
    • Fractures, Bone / epidemiology
    • Fractures, Bone / etiology
    • Fractures, Bone / veterinary
    • Fractures, Stress / epidemiology
    • Fractures, Stress / etiology
    • Fractures, Stress / veterinary
    • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
    • Horse Diseases / etiology
    • Horses / injuries
    • Incidence
    • Male
    • Pelvis / injuries
    • Physical Conditioning, Animal / adverse effects
    • Prospective Studies
    • Recurrence
    • Risk Factors
    • Seasons
    • Tibial Fractures / epidemiology
    • Tibial Fractures / etiology
    • Tibial Fractures / veterinary
    • United Kingdom / epidemiology

    Citations

    This article has been cited 23 times.
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