Evaluation of forelimb horseshoe characteristics of thoroughbreds racing on dirt surfaces.

The research involves evaluating the characteristics of the forelimb horseshoes of thoroughbred racehorses in California and examining how these vary with location, season, horse traits and race conditions.

Research Methods

• The researchers gathered data over the course of a year, involving 5,730 Thoroughbred racehorses used in races at five major racetracks in California.
• The characteristics of a forelimb horseshoe from each horse were recorded. These features included shoe type, toe grab height, the presence or absence of a rim, pad, and various heel traction devices.
• Information on each horse and its race was obtained from commercial records. For each horse, one race was selected randomly for consideration in the study.

Research Findings

• Almost all (99%) of the forelimb horseshoes were aluminum racing plates.
• Some of the shoes had additional features: 35% included a pad, 23% included a rim, and 8% included a heel traction device.
• Toe grabs were present on 75% of the horseshoes, with various extents of grab height observed.
• There were significant variations in the forelimb horseshoe characteristics in relation to several factors. These factors included the horse’s age, sex, race distance, and purse, as well as the track surface condition and the season of the year.
• Through the use of log-linear modeling, it was found that all these factors were significantly interconnected.

Conclusions

• The research concludes that there are complex interrelationships between the characteristics of a racehorse’s forelimb horseshoes and a range of demographic, seasonal, and race-related factors.
• These interrelationships should be taken into consideration when making evaluations linking equine injuries to horseshoe characteristics among Thoroughbred racehorses.