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Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)2003; 167(1); 45-52; doi: 10.1016/s1090-0233(03)00141-2

Horse injuries and racing practices in National Hunt racehorses in the UK: the results of a prospective cohort study.

Abstract: A prospective cohort study was conducted on horses starting in hurdle and steeplechase races on six UK racecourses in 2000 and 2001. Trainers or carers were questioned on the horses' pre-race routine and observational data were collected in the stables and parade ring. Some practices were common to many starters, such as withholding food and water before racing whereas other practices, such as schooling frequency, were more variable. There was a total of 2879 starts and a total of 83 injuries or medical events (28.8/1000 starts). The commonest types of injury were tendon/suspensory injuries and lacerations/wounds. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify the relationship between predictor variables and the risk of injury. Risk of injury or medical event was associated with distance of the race and weight carried. The risk of injury, excluding medical events, was associated with the speed of the race and foot conformation.
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Publication Date: 2003-11-19 PubMed ID: 14623150DOI: 10.1016/s1090-0233(03)00141-2Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 study analyzes the common practices in horse racing and how they relate to horse injuries, using information from hurdle and steeplechase races in the UK from 2000 – 2001, and determins that there is an association between the risk of injury and the distance and speed of the race, as well as the weight carried and the horse’s foot conformation.

Study Methodology

  • The researchers conducted a prospective cohort study which involves following a group of similar individuals over a period of time to determine the outcome of interest.
  • They focused on horses that participated in hurdle and steeplechase races across six UK racecourses in 2000 and 2001.
  • Trainers or caregivers of these horses were interviewed about the pre-race routines for each horse, and observational data were collected in the stables and parade ring.
  • This provided insights into common practices across many starters, such as withholding food and water before racing, and those practices that varied, like the frequency of schooling.

Data and Results

  • Throughout the period of study, there were a total of 2879 starts and 83 injuries or medical incidents reported, translating to a rate of 28.8 injuries per 1000 starts.
  • The most common types of injuries identified were tendon/suspensory injuries and lacerations/wounds.

Analysis and Conclusions

  • The research team used multivariable logistic regression models to determine the relationship between predictor variables (like race practices) and the outcome of interest (injury risk).
  • They found that the risk of a horse sustaining an injury or experiencing a medical event was associated with two key factors: the distance of the race and the weight the horse carried.
  • Furthermore, when medical events were excluded from the injury count, they discovered that the speed of the race and the horse’s foot conformation (the physical characteristics and quality of the horse’s feet) were associated with the risk of injury.

Cite This Article

APA
Pinchbeck GL, Clegg PD, Proudman CJ, Stirk A, Morgan KL, French NP. (2003). Horse injuries and racing practices in National Hunt racehorses in the UK: the results of a prospective cohort study. Vet J, 167(1), 45-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1090-0233(03)00141-2

Publication

Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
ISSN: 1090-0233
NlmUniqueID: 9706281
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 167
Issue: 1
Pages: 45-52

Researcher Affiliations

Pinchbeck, G L
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston CH64 7TE, UK. ginap@liv.ac.uk
Clegg, P D
    Proudman, C J
      Stirk, A
        Morgan, K L
          French, N P

            MeSH Terms

            • Animal Husbandry
            • Animals
            • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
            • Athletic Injuries / prevention & control
            • Athletic Injuries / veterinary
            • Cohort Studies
            • Female
            • Horses / injuries
            • Leg Injuries / epidemiology
            • Leg Injuries / prevention & control
            • Leg Injuries / veterinary
            • Logistic Models
            • Male
            • Prospective Studies
            • Risk Factors
            • Running / injuries
            • Sports
            • Tendon Injuries / epidemiology
            • Tendon Injuries / prevention & control
            • Tendon Injuries / veterinary
            • United Kingdom / epidemiology

            Citations

            This article has been cited 13 times.
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