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Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association1996; 208(1); 92-96;

Fatal musculoskeletal injuries incurred during racing and training in thoroughbreds.

Abstract: To characterize and contrast data from Thoroughbreds that incurred a fatal musculoskeletal injury (FMI; injury resulting in death or euthanasia) during racing or training and data from all California race entrants during a 9-month period in 1991. Methods: Case-control study. Methods: Thoroughbreds that incurred a FMI during racing or training at a California race-meet and all California race entrants from January through June and October through December 1991. Methods: Age and sex were compared with chi 2 and Fisher's exact tests among horses fatally injured while racing and training. A log-linear model was fit to assess the relationship between race-meet and age and sex of California race entrants. Incidence risk of racing FMI was estimated per 1,000 race entrants, and the relationship between the occurrence of FMI during racing with race-meet, age, and sex was evaluated by logistic regression. Results: Injury type and sex-specific age distributions differed among the horses fatally injured during racing and training. Age and sex distributions of the race entrants were not independent and varied among race-meets. Overall incidence risk of racing FMI was estimated at 1.7/1,000 race entrants. Risk of racing FMI in male horses was about twofold that in female horses, and in 4-year-olds was twofold that in 3-year-olds. Conclusions: Age and sex-related differences in risk of incurring a FMI during racing should be considered when comparing fatal injury rates among race-meets.
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Publication Date: 1996-01-01 PubMed ID: 8682713
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 research article describes a study conducted to understand the data and patterns around fatal musculoskeletal injuries (FMI) in racing Thoroughbreds during both training and actual races. The study also identified specific factors, such as age and sex, which may affect the risk of these injuries.

Study Design and Methods

  • The researchers implemented a case-control study design, focusing on Thoroughbreds that experienced a FMI during a race or training session in California within a nine-month period in 1991.
  • The researchers used chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests to compare age and sex among the horses that suffered fatal injuries during races and training sessions.
  • A log-linear model was utilized to discern the relationship between the race-meet (particular race event) and the age and sex of California race entrants.
  • The researchers also calculated the incidence risk of racing FMIs per 1,000 race entrants. They used logistic regression to evaluate the relationship between FMI occurrence during races, and factors such as race-meet, age, and sex.

Results of the Study

  • The study found that injury type and age distributions specific to each sex differed among horses fatally injured during racing and training.
  • The data showed that the distributions of age and sex were not independent and varied among different races.
  • The overall incidence risk of racing FMIs was found to be 1.7 per 1,000 race entrants.
  • The study showed that the risk of racing FMI in male horses was about twice as high as in female horses. Similarly, the risk in 4-year-old horses was twice that of 3-year-old horses.

Conclusion from the Research

  • The researchers concluded that age and sex have significant impacts on the risk of incurring an FMI during a race. These factors should therefore be taken into account when comparing fatal injury rates among different races.

Cite This Article

APA
Estberg L, Stover SM, Gardner IA, Johnson BJ, Case JT, Ardans A, Read DH, Anderson ML, Barr BC, Daft BM, Kinde H, Moore J, Stoltz J, Woods LW. (1996). Fatal musculoskeletal injuries incurred during racing and training in thoroughbreds. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 208(1), 92-96.

Publication

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
ISSN: 0003-1488
NlmUniqueID: 7503067
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 208
Issue: 1
Pages: 92-96

Researcher Affiliations

Estberg, L
  • California Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
Stover, S M
    Gardner, I A
      Johnson, B J
        Case, J T
          Ardans, A
            Read, D H
              Anderson, M L
                Barr, B C
                  Daft, B M
                    Kinde, H
                      Moore, J
                        Stoltz, J
                          Woods, L W

                            MeSH Terms

                            • Age Distribution
                            • Animals
                            • California / epidemiology
                            • Case-Control Studies
                            • Female
                            • Horses / injuries
                            • Linear Models
                            • Logistic Models
                            • Male
                            • Musculoskeletal System / injuries
                            • Physical Conditioning, Animal / adverse effects
                            • Risk Factors
                            • Sex Distribution
                            • Sports
                            • Wounds and Injuries / etiology
                            • Wounds and Injuries / mortality
                            • Wounds and Injuries / veterinary

                            Citations

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