Factors Associated with Mortality in Ontario Standardbred Racing: 2003-2015.
Abstract: Factors associated with mortality in standardbred racehorses were assessed through a retrospective annualized cohort study of all-cause mortality from 2003-2015 ( = 978) (identified in the Ontario Racehorse Death Registry). Race and qualifying data for official work-events were also gathered (1,778,330 work-events, 125,200 horse years). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed sex, age, and indices of workload and intensity and their interactions to be strongly associated with mortality. Track class, race versus qualifying performance, and work-event outcome (finish position, scratched, or failed to finish) also influenced mortality odds, which increased as performance slowed. Intense competition at higher performance levels and qualifying races at lower levels carried particularly high odds. Though occurring frequently, musculoskeletal injury was less frequent than all other presenting problems combined. Industry structure contributes to mortality through interaction between horse characteristics and the competition environment. This substrate may be amenable to management to minimize liability, but incident-specific triggers may represent chance factors and be relatively difficult to identify or control. Differentiating between substrate and trigger when studying specific clinical problems may provide greater clarity and yield in identifying underlying causes. Mortality may reflect a continuum of circumstances, cumulative impacts of which might be identified before a fatal event occurs.
Publication Date: 2021-04-05 PubMed ID: 33916415PubMed Central: PMC8066029DOI: 10.3390/ani11041028Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This study examines the factors that contribute to death in Standardbred racing horses in Ontario, Canada between the years of 2003 and 2015, using data from the Ontario Racehorse Death Registry and data from official work-events such as races and qualifiers. The research found that variables such as the horse’s sex, age, workload, intensity of competition, track classification, and race outcome could affect the likelihood of death. The study suggests that changes in industry structure could potentially minimize risks, while identifying specific triggers of incidents may be more challenging.
Overview of the Data Collection
- The data used for this study consisted of information about horse deaths gathered from the Ontario Racehorse Death Registry for the years between 2003 to 2015. The data included 978 horse deaths.
- In addition to mortality data, the researchers also gathered information about the horses’ performance in races and qualifiers (referred to as “work-events”). This data encompassed 1,778,330 work-events over 125,200 horse years.
Key Findings from Regression Analysis
- A multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted, and the researchers found that the factors that were most strongly associated with horse mortality were the horse’s sex, age, workload, and intensity of competition.
- Other factors that increased the odds of horse mortality were the classification of the race track, the horse’s performance in races vs. qualifiers, and the outcome of the work-event (whether the horse finished the race, was scratched, or failed to finish).
- The odds of mortality increased when performance slowed, suggesting that horses in intense competition at higher performance levels and qualifier races at lower levels have particularly high chances of death.
Role of Industry Structure and Clinical Factors
- The industry structure was found to be a contributing factor to horse mortality, through the interaction between horse characteristics and the competition environment.
- Although musculoskeletal injuries occurred frequently, they were less common than all other combined presenting problems. This suggests that injuries were not the primary cause of mortality in these horses.
- The researchers proposed that managing these identified substrate factors within the industry could minimize risks, but pinpointing specific triggers for incidents might be more difficult.
Implications for Future Study and Management
- The researchers suggested that future studies should differentiate between substrates and triggers when studying specific clinical problems to identify underlying causes with greater clarity and yield.
- Mortality in horses may be a result of a continuum of circumstances. By identifying these cumulative impacts, it might be possible to intervene before a fatal event occurs.
Cite This Article
APA
Physick-Sheard P, Avison A, Sears W.
(2021).
Factors Associated with Mortality in Ontario Standardbred Racing: 2003-2015.
Animals (Basel), 11(4), 1028.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11041028 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
- DVM Program, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
Grant Funding
- EG2014-05 / EQUINE GUELPH
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- 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).
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