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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Descriptive epidemiology of veterinary events in flat racing...
Equine veterinary journal2016; 49(3); 275-281; doi: 10.1111/evj.12592

Descriptive epidemiology of veterinary events in flat racing Thoroughbreds in Great Britain (2000 to 2013).

Abstract: To date, no large scale studies have reported race-day events requiring veterinary attention in British Thoroughbreds racing on the flat. Quantifying and describing common injuries and health conditions affecting racehorses will enable targeted risk factor analysis aimed at reducing their occurrence. Objective: To describe the type and incidence of race-day veterinary events experienced by Thoroughbred racehorses participating in flat racing in the UK. Methods: Retrospective cohort study (2000 to 2013). Methods: Veterinary events recorded by race-day veterinarians were retrieved and linked to race start data. Race-day veterinary events were described by type, location and anatomical structure(s) affected and whether the outcome was fatal or not. Incidence per 1000 starts was calculated, both overall and by year. Stratified incidence rates were calculated for selected event categories by specific course- and horse-level variables. Results: There were 7993 events experienced by 6727 horses, with an incidence of 9.37 events per 1000 starts. Soft tissue injuries other than tendon and ligament injuries were the most commonly occurring veterinary events (24.1%), followed by gait observations (21.2%) and respiratory conditions (21.2%). In total, 13.8% of events were bone injuries. The incidence of fatality (n = 628) was 0.76 per 1000 starts. Most (485/628, 77.2%) fatal events were bone injuries, 64 were due to cardiac conditions and 54 due to tendon and ligament injuries. All-weather tracks had a higher incidence of veterinary events and fatalities than turf tracks. Firmer (turf) or faster (all-weather) going were associated with a higher incidence of all veterinary events. Conclusions: Events were based on presumptive, rather than definitive, veterinary diagnosis. Conclusions: The most common events experienced by racehorses on race-day were relatively minor and not career-ending. Although more severe bone, joint, tendon and ligament injuries were less common, they had a greater impact on whether the outcome of the event was fatal.
© 2016 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2016-06-22 PubMed ID: 27208544DOI: 10.1111/evj.12592Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This study performs a retrospective review of veterinary events in Thoroughbred flat racing horses in the UK from 2000 to 2013. The main objective was to identify common injuries and health conditions affecting racehorses on race-day. The study found that the most common events were minor and not career-ending, but severe injuries were more likely to result in fatalities.

Methodology

  • The researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study from the years 2000 to 2013.
  • They retrieved the records of veterinary events compiled by veterinarians on race-days and linked these events to racing start data.
  • The events were described based on the type, location, and affected anatomical structure.
  • The outcome of each event was categorized as either fatal or non-fatal.
  • The overall incidence of each event and yearly incidence per 1000 starts was calculated. Stratified incidence rates were also computed for specific event categories depending on various course- and horse-level variables.

Results

  • A total of 7993 events were recorded, involving 6727 horses. The overall incidence was 9.37 events per 1000 starts.
  • The most common category of events were non-career-ending, soft tissue injuries (24.1%), followed by gait observations and respiratory conditions (both 21.2%).
  • Bone injuries accounted for 13.8% of the total events.
  • The rate of fatality was 0.76 per 1000 starts, majority (77.2%) of which were due to bone injuries. Other fatal injuries were caused by cardiac conditions and tendon and ligament injuries.
  • All-weather tracks reported a higher incidence of veterinary events and fatalities compared to turf tracks.
  • Horse races on firmer (turf) or faster (all-weather) tracks had a higher incidence of all veterinary events.

Conclusions

  • The study found that the majority of race-day veterinary events in Thoroughbred flat racing horses were minor and did not end the career of the horses.
  • However, severe bone, joint, tendon, and ligament injuries were less common but more likely to result in fatalities.
  • These findings can help in devising strategies and risk factor analysis to reduce the occurrence of these events.

Cite This Article

APA
Rosanowski SM, Chang YM, Stirk AJ, Verheyen KL. (2016). Descriptive epidemiology of veterinary events in flat racing Thoroughbreds in Great Britain (2000 to 2013). Equine Vet J, 49(3), 275-281. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12592

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 49
Issue: 3
Pages: 275-281

Researcher Affiliations

Rosanowski, S M
  • Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health Group, Department of Production and Population Health, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.
Chang, Y M
  • Research Office, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, 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, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Fractures, Bone / epidemiology
  • Fractures, Bone / mortality
  • Fractures, Bone / veterinary
  • Gait
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / epidemiology
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / mortality
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / veterinary
  • Heart Diseases / epidemiology
  • Heart Diseases / mortality
  • Heart Diseases / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horses
  • Joint Diseases / epidemiology
  • Joint Diseases / mortality
  • Joint Diseases / veterinary
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Running
  • Sports
  • Tendon Injuries / epidemiology
  • Tendon Injuries / mortality
  • Tendon Injuries / veterinary
  • United Kingdom

Citations

This article has been cited 26 times.
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