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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet J / Fractures–a preventable hazard of racing thoroughbreds...
Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)2001; 163(1); 19-29; doi: 10.1053/tvjl.2001.0610

Fractures–a preventable hazard of racing thoroughbreds?

Abstract: Fractures are a common cause of loss among Thoroughbred racehorses. A large proportion of these injuries occurs in the absence of a specific traumatic event and show typical characteristics of stress fractures. The fractures show a high degree of consistency in their morphology; they frequently share the same locations as incomplete cracks and they are often associated with pre-existing pathology (periosteal and endosteal new bone formation and intracortical remodelling). Bone is able to adapt to changes in its mechanical environment. Studies of the Thoroughbred racehorse show modification of the geometric properties of the third metacarpal bone in response to training. These modifications are associated with reduced bone strains. Intense training before the adaptive response is completed and bone strain reduced increases the risk of fatigue damage. Fatigue of bone is associated with progressive microdamage, which is important in the pathogenesis of stress fractures. However, the biological repair mechanism of bone (remodelling) is also instrumental in the development of stress fractures. Horses exercised before bone repair is complete are likely to be at significantly greater risk of sustaining a catastrophic stress fracture. A number of key questions regarding the importance of microdamage, remodelling and training schedules in the prevention of stress fractures are addressed in this review.
Copyright 2002 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2001-12-26 PubMed ID: 11749133DOI: 10.1053/tvjl.2001.0610Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This research article studies the commonality of fractures amongst Thoroughbred racehorses, particularly stress fractures that often occur without a specific traumatic event. The study explores the possibility of preventing these injuries through better management of factors such as horses’ training schedules, bone remodelling, and responses to fatigue damage.

Fractures in Thoroughbred Racehorses

  • The research article begins by focusing on fractures as a prevalent issue among Thoroughbred racehorses. This doesn’t speak specifically to traumatic injuries but draws a special attention to stress fractures that seemingly occur without significant trauma.
  • These fractures often present similar traits: similar morphology, common locations, association with pre-existing pathology such as new bone growth and intracortical remodelling. These shared characteristics suggest that stress fractures may be stemming from a common cause or set of conditions.

Bone Adaptation and Training

  • The authors discuss how bone is capable of adapting to changes in the mechanical environment. They highlight studies showing that Thoroughbred racehorses can modify their third metacarpal bone’s geometric properties in response to training.
  • This bone modification is known to lessen bone strains. However, an intense training regime before the completion of this adaptive response can lead to heightened risk of fatigue damage, contributing to the occurrence of stress fractures.

Role of Microdamage and Bone Remodelling

  • Further, the research discusses how fatigue of bone leads to progressive microdamage, which is critical in the development of stress fractures.
  • Besides, the natural repair mechanism of bone (remodelling) plays a pivotal role in the development of stress fractures. If horses are exercised before the completion of bone repair, they are at a significantly higher risk of sustaining a catastrophic stress fracture.

Key Questions for Prevention of Stress Fractures

  • In the final part of the abstract, the authors mention certain important questions they address in their review, related to the roles of microdamage, remodelling, and training in preventing stress fractures.
  • These questions are critical in understanding the causes of stress fractures in racehorses better and exploring ways to potentially prevent these fractures.

Cite This Article

APA
Riggs CM. (2001). Fractures–a preventable hazard of racing thoroughbreds? Vet J, 163(1), 19-29. https://doi.org/10.1053/tvjl.2001.0610

Publication

Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
ISSN: 1090-0233
NlmUniqueID: 9706281
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 163
Issue: 1
Pages: 19-29

Researcher Affiliations

Riggs, C M
  • Oakey Veterinary Hospital, Oakey, Queensland, 4401, Australia. ChrisRiggs@bigpond.com

MeSH Terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological
  • Animals
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Bone Remodeling / physiology
  • Fractures, Stress / etiology
  • Fractures, Stress / pathology
  • Fractures, Stress / prevention & control
  • Fractures, Stress / veterinary
  • Horses / injuries
  • Lameness, Animal / etiology
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal
  • Stress, Mechanical

Citations

This article has been cited 17 times.
  1. Basran PS, McDonough S, Palmer S, Reesink HL. Radiomics Modeling of Catastrophic Proximal Sesamoid Bone Fractures in Thoroughbred Racehorses Using μCT.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 4;12(21).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12213033pubmed: 36359157google scholar: lookup
  2. Shaffer SK, Garcia TC, Stover SM, Fyhrie DP. Exercise history predicts focal differences in bone volume fraction, mineral density and microdamage in the proximal sesamoid bones of Thoroughbred racehorses.. J Orthop Res 2022 Dec;40(12):2831-2842.
    doi: 10.1002/jor.25312pubmed: 35245393google scholar: lookup
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  6. Samol MA, Uzal FA, Blanchard PC, Arthur RM, Stover SM. Sudden death caused by spinal cord injury associated with vertebral fractures and fetlock failure in a Thoroughbred racehorse.. J Vet Diagn Invest 2021 Jul;33(4):788-791.
    doi: 10.1177/10406387211018289pubmed: 34041971google scholar: lookup
  7. 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
  8. Crawford KL, Finnane A, Greer RM, Phillips CJC, Bishop EL, Woldeyohannes SM, Perkins NR, Ahern BJ. A Prospective Study of Training Methods for Two-Year-Old Thoroughbred Racehorses in Queensland, Australia, and Analysis of the Differences in Training Methods between Trainers of Varying Stable Sizes.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 25;11(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11040928pubmed: 33805873google scholar: lookup
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  10. 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
  11. Crawford KL, Ahern BJ, Perkins NR, Phillips CJC, Finnane A. The Effect of Combined Training and Racing High-Speed Exercise History on Musculoskeletal Injuries in Thoroughbred Racehorses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Current Literature.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Nov 11;10(11).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10112091pubmed: 33187122google scholar: lookup
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    doi: 10.3390/ani10112046pubmed: 33167429google scholar: lookup
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    doi: 10.1294/jes.27.107pubmed: 27703405google scholar: lookup
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  16. Minami Y, Yamano S, Kawai M, Hiraga A, Miyata H. Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase Activity and Glycogen Content in Various Fiber Types after Intensive Exercise in Thoroughbred Horses.. J Equine Sci 2009;20(3):33-40.
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  17. Turley SM, Thambyah A, Riggs CM, Firth EC, Broom ND. Microstructural changes in cartilage and bone related to repetitive overloading in an equine athlete model.. J Anat 2014 Jun;224(6):647-58.
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