Evaluation of horseshoe characteristics and high-speed exercise history as possible risk factors for catastrophic musculoskeletal injury in thoroughbred racehorses.

The research paper aims to evaluate how characteristics of horseshoes and intensive exercise regimes could possibly contribute to severe musculoskeletal injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses. The study analyzes horse hoof treatments and training variables to identify potential risk factors for such injuries.

Study Design and Participants

• The study involved a pool of 377 Thoroughbred racehorses, which collectively had participated in 37,529 races.
• The horseshoes of these horses were assessed with regard to their material, toe grab height, incorporation of heel traction devices, use of pads and rim shoes.
• Racing variables, or data related to high-speed exercise and race history, were sourced from a specialized database.
• The researchers classified the horses into two groups: 43 injured horses who were unable to participate in racing or training for a period of six months, and a control group consisting of 334 non-injured horses from the same races.

Results

• The study found that a whopping 98% of races involved horses wearing aluminum shoes. Additionally, 85% of the horses had shoe designs that incorporated toe grabs, 32% used pads, and 12% wore shoes with rims on the forelimbs.
• Possible risk factors that were identified among the 43 horses with musculoskeletal injuries include gelding (being a neutered male horse), extended intervals since the last race, and reduced exercise during the 30 or 60 days prior to the injury.
• The study indicates that horses shod with toe grabs on front shoes were 1.5 times more likely to experience injury than those without toe grabs on front shoes. However, this risk increase was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

• The study suggests that horses returning to racing after a substantial reduction in exercise are at high risk for catastrophic musculoskeletal injuries.
• While the use of toe grabs was found to be potentially associated with an increased risk of injury, this implication remains inconclusive due to a sizable (38%) probability of error in the relevant calculations.