The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice2008; 24(1); 1-19; doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2007.11.003

Epidemiology of racetrack injuries in racehorses.

Abstract: This article describes the development of epidemiologic analyses of racetrack injury in racehorses. The risk or rate of fatal and nonfatal injury in racing and training around the world is examined. The focus is on the importance of global collaboration and the identification of modifiable risk factors. In particular, exercise-related risk factors for injury are evaluated and the potential impact of interventions discussed.
Publication Date: 2008-03-04 PubMed ID: 18314033DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2007.11.003Google 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.
  • Journal Article
  • Review

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 study explores the patterns, causes, and effects of racetrack injuries in racehorses, with a focus on the global occurences and possible means of preventing such injuries.

Epidemiological Analysis of Racetrack Injuries

  • The research delves into understanding the pattern and frequency of racetrack injuries in racehorses around the world. It provides insights into the extent of fatal and nonfatal injuries, both during races as well as training sessions. By understanding the epidemiology, or the incidence, distribution, and possible control of these injuries, the researchers aim to reduce their occurrence and severity.

The Role of Global Collaboration

  • Researchers highlight the significance of international cooperation in this field. They suggest that global sharing of data and research findings can enhance the understanding of the risk factors associated with racetrack injuries. This collaboration not only provides a broader perspective, considering the potential geographic and regional peculiarities, but also aids in identifying the commonalities in risk factors and injury patterns across the globe.

Identification of Modifiable Risk Factors

  • The study also focuses on identifying modifiable risk factors. Modifiable risk factors are factors that can be changed or controlled to prevent injuries. These could, for example, involve training practices or the physical condition of the racehorse. By identifying these factors, the researchers aim to develop targeted strategies that can help to mitigate risks.

Evaluation of Exercise-Related Risk Factors

  • The study looks specifically at exercise-related risk factors. It analyses how certain aspects of training sessions or racing could potentially contribute to the likelihood of injuries. The findings suggest that the length, intensity, frequency or type of exercise could be associated with an increased risk of injury in racehorses. Thus, adjusting those parameters could help lower the risk.

Potential Impact of Interventions

  • Finally, the research discusses the potential impact of interventions based on the findings of the study. Interventions in this context refer to measures taken to control or prevent the identified risk factors. This could range from changes in training methods, improving track conditions, horse diets to the implementation of strict rest and recovery periods for horses. These interventions, when appropriately implemented, have the potential to reduce the incidence and severity of racetrack injuries significantly.

Cite This Article

APA
Parkin TD. (2008). Epidemiology of racetrack injuries in racehorses. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 24(1), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2007.11.003

Publication

ISSN: 1558-4224
NlmUniqueID: 8511904
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 24
Issue: 1
Pages: 1-19

Researcher Affiliations

Parkin, Tim D H
  • Institute of Comparative Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, Scotland, UK. t.parkin@vet.gla.ac.uk

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
  • Athletic Injuries / etiology
  • Athletic Injuries / mortality
  • Athletic Injuries / veterinary
  • Floors and Floorcoverings
  • Fractures, Stress / epidemiology
  • Fractures, Stress / etiology
  • Fractures, Stress / mortality
  • Fractures, Stress / veterinary
  • Horses / injuries
  • Incidence
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal / adverse effects
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Sports

Citations

This article has been cited 20 times.
  1. Siegers E, van Wijk E, van den Broek J, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan M, Munsters C. Longitudinal Training and Workload Assessment in Young Friesian Stallions in Relation to Fitness: Part 1.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 16;13(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13040689pubmed: 36830476google scholar: lookup
  2. Gibson MJ, Legg KA, Gee EK, Rogers CW. The Reporting of Racehorse Fatalities in New Zealand Thoroughbred Flat Racing in the 2011/12-2021/22 Seasons.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 9;13(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13040612pubmed: 36830402google scholar: lookup
  3. Legg KA, Gee EK, Breheny M, Gibson MJ, Rogers CW. A Bioeconomic Model for the Thoroughbred Racing Industry-Optimisation of the Production Cycle with a Horse Centric Welfare Perspective.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jan 30;13(3).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13030479pubmed: 36766368google scholar: lookup
  4. Gibson MJ, Legg KA, Gee EK, Rogers CW. Race-Level Reporting of Incidents Using an Online System during Three Seasons (2019/2020-2021/2022) of Thoroughbred Flat Racing in New Zealand.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 3;12(21).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12213028pubmed: 36359152google scholar: lookup
  5. Horan K, Coburn J, Kourdache K, Day P, Carnall H, Brinkley L, Harborne D, Hammond L, Peterson M, Millard S, Pfau T. Hoof Impact and Foot-Off Accelerations in Galloping Thoroughbred Racehorses Trialling Eight Shoe-Surface Combinations.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Aug 23;12(17).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12172161pubmed: 36077882google scholar: lookup
  6. Gibson MJ, Bolwell CF, Gee EK, Legg KA, Rogers CW. Race-Level Reporting of Incidents during Two Seasons (2015/16 to 2016/17) of Thoroughbred Flat Racing in New Zealand.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Apr 15;12(8).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12081033pubmed: 35454278google scholar: lookup
  7. Gibson MJ, Roca Fraga FJ, Bolwell CF, Gee EK, Rogers CW. Race-Level Reporting of Incidents during Two Seasons (2015/16 to 2016/17) of Harness Racing in New Zealand.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 11;12(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12040433pubmed: 35203141google scholar: lookup
  8. Palmer AL, Rogers CW, Stafford KJ, Gal A, Bolwell CF. Risk-Factors for Soft-Tissue Injuries, Lacerations and Fractures During Racing in Greyhounds in New Zealand.. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:737146.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.737146pubmed: 34926634google scholar: lookup
  9. Morrice-West AV, Hitchens PL, Walmsley EA, Wong ASM, Whitton RC. Association of Thoroughbred Racehorse Workloads and Rest Practices with Trainer Success.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Nov 1;11(11).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11113130pubmed: 34827862google scholar: lookup
  10. Physick-Sheard P, Avison A, Sears W. Factors Associated with Fatality in Ontario Thoroughbred Racehorses: 2003-2015.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Oct 13;11(10).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11102950pubmed: 34679971google scholar: lookup
  11. Physick-Sheard P, Avison A, Sears W. Factors Associated with Mortality in Ontario Standardbred Racing: 2003-2015.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Apr 5;11(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11041028pubmed: 33916415google scholar: lookup
  12. Crawford KL, Finnane A, Greer RM, Phillips CJC, Woldeyohannes SM, Perkins NR, Ahern BJ. Appraising the Welfare of Thoroughbred Racehorses in Training in Queensland, Australia: The Incidence, Risk Factors and Outcomes for Horses after Retirement from Racing.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jan 11;11(1).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11010142pubmed: 33440666google scholar: lookup
  13. Brown HR, Peloso JG, Werner WC, Mecholsky JJ, Cohen ND, Vogler JB. A Thoroughbred racehorse with a unicortical palmar lateral condylar fracture returned to training 14 days after surgery: a hypothesis on the role of a single bone screw on crack propagation.. J Equine Sci 2019 Mar;30(1):7-12.
    doi: 10.1294/jes.30.7pubmed: 30944541google scholar: lookup
  14. Turlo AJ, Cywinska A, Frisbie DD. Revisiting predictive biomarkers of musculoskeletal injury in thoroughbred racehorses: longitudinal study in polish population.. BMC Vet Res 2019 Feb 26;15(1):66.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-019-1799-7pubmed: 30808359google scholar: lookup
  15. Hitchens PL, Hill AE, Stover SM. Relationship Between Historical Lameness, Medication Usage, Surgery, and Exercise With Catastrophic Musculoskeletal Injury in Racehorses.. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:217.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00217pubmed: 30246014google scholar: lookup
  16. Bolwell C, Rogers C, Gee E, McIlwraith W. Epidemiology of Musculoskeletal Injury during Racing on New Zealand Racetracks 2005-2011.. Animals (Basel) 2017 Aug 11;7(8).
    doi: 10.3390/ani7080062pubmed: 28800064google scholar: lookup
  17. Maeda Y, Hanada M, Oikawa MA. Epidemiology of racing injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses with special reference to bone fractures: Japanese experience from the 1980s to 2000s.. J Equine Sci 2016;27(3):81-97.
    doi: 10.1294/jes.27.81pubmed: 27703403google scholar: lookup
  18. Tanner J, Rogers C, Bolwell C, Cogger N, Gee E, Mcllwraith W. Analysis of Failure to Finish a Race in a Cohort of Thoroughbred Racehorses in New Zealand.. Animals (Basel) 2016 May 25;6(6).
    doi: 10.3390/ani6060036pubmed: 27231944google scholar: lookup
  19. Memon MA, Shmalberg J, Adair HS 3rd, Allweiler S, Bryan JN, Cantwell S, Carr E, Chrisman C, Egger CM, Greene S, Haussler KK, Hershey B, Holyoak GR, Johnson M, Jeune SL, Looney A, McConnico RS, Medina C, Morton AJ, Munsterman A, Nie GJ, Park N, Parsons-Doherty M, Perdrizet JA, Peyton JL, Raditic D, Ramirez HP, Saik J, Robertson S, Sleeper M, Dyke JV, Wakshlag J. Integrative veterinary medical education and consensus guidelines for an integrative veterinary medicine curriculum within veterinary colleges.. Open Vet J 2016;6(1):44-56.
    doi: 10.4314/ovj.v6i1.7pubmed: 27200270google scholar: lookup
  20. Bertuglia A, Bullone M, Rossotto F, Gasparini M. Epidemiology of musculoskeletal injuries in a population of harness Standardbred racehorses in training.. BMC Vet Res 2014 Jan 10;10:11.
    doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-10-11pubmed: 24410888google scholar: lookup