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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Surg / Influence of osteochondrosis on the longevity and racing per...
Veterinary surgery : VS2021; 50(3); 507-516; doi: 10.1111/vsu.13568

Influence of osteochondrosis on the longevity and racing performance of standardbred trotters and pacers.

Abstract: To determine the influence of clinical osteochondrosis (OC) on the short-term (2, 3, and 4-year-old) and long-term racing performance and longevity of standardbred racehorses. Methods: Retrospective case-control study. Methods: Standardbred racehorses from a single breeding farm born between 2009 and 2017 that survived to racing age (n = 2711). Three hundred eighty-two (14%) horses were OC-affected (829 lesions confirmed arthroscopically during surgical treatment), and 2329 (86%) horses were nonaffected. Methods: Racing performance data were obtained from an online database and evaluated with multiple linear regression models. Results: Trotters were more likely than pacers to be affected by OC (odds ratio [OR] = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.1-1.9, P = .006). Compared with nonaffected horses, long-term OC-affected horses had 8.8 fewer starts (95% CI = -14.4 to -3.2, P = .002), 1.0 fewer wins (95% CI = -1.9 to -0.1, P = .030), and 3.8 fewer total number of first through third place finishes (95% CI = -6.2 to -1.4, P < .0001). Nonaffected horses had longer careers compared with OC-affected horses, racing 0.32 years longer (95% CI = -0.52 to -0.12, P = .002). Osteochondrosis had no impact on short-term racing performance. Horses with lesions at the distal intermediate ridge of the tibia or lateral trochlear ridge of the talus had decreased performance compared with horses without these lesions. Conclusions: Pacers were less likely than trotters to be affected by OC. Affected horses had fewer starts and shorter careers, despite early surgical intervention. Conclusions: Osteochondrosis decreases long-term racing performance in racing standardbreds.
© 2021 The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2021-01-18 PubMed ID: 33460472DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13568Google 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.

The study examined how a condition called osteochondrosis (OC) affects the short and long-term racing performance and lifespan of standardbred racehorses. The results showed that OC affected horses performed less efficiently and had shorter racing careers than non-affected ones.

Study Design and Parameters

  • The study was a retrospective case-control investigation, focusing on standardbred trotters and pacers.
  • The subjects of the study did not consist of randomly selected horses but were specifically from a single breeding farm, spanning horses born between 2009 and 2017. This totaled to 2,711 horses that survived up to racing age.
  • From these horses, 382 (14%) were diagnosed with clinical osteochondrosis (OC), confirmed through arthroscopic surgery, and 2329 (86%) horses did not have the condition.

Data Collection and Analysis

  • Racing performance data was collected via an online database and was analyzed using multiple linear regression models.
  • The focus for evaluation was mainly on the number of starts, winnings, placements, and career length.
  • Differentiations were made between trotters and pacers, establishing a correlation between the horse’s type and the effect of OC.

Findings of the Study

  • The study found that trotters are more likely to be affected by OC than pacers with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.4.
  • Compared to non-affected horses, those with OC had fewer racing starts (8.8 fewer) and less number of wins (1.0 fewer). There was also a decrease in the total number of finishes in the top three places, showing a negative impact of OC on performance in the long term.
  • In terms of career longevity, non-affected horses had racing careers that were 0.32 years longer than the OC-affected horses.
  • Short-term racing performance was not significantly affected by the presence of OC.
  • Specifically, horses with lesions in the distal intermediate ridge of their tibia or lateral trochlear ridge of the talus underperformed compared to those without these types of lesions.

Conclusions Drawn

  • Despite early surgical intervention, affected horses had fewer starts and shorter careers compared to the non-affected ones.
  • Thus, proving that osteochondrosis (OC), a joint condition, can negatively impact the long-term racing performance of standardbred horses, especially trotters.

Cite This Article

APA
Boorman S, Hofmeister EH, Ross MW, Ralston S, Bell G, Mackie S, Ortved K. (2021). Influence of osteochondrosis on the longevity and racing performance of standardbred trotters and pacers. Vet Surg, 50(3), 507-516. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13568

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 50
Issue: 3
Pages: 507-516

Researcher Affiliations

Boorman, Sophie
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
Hofmeister, Erik H
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
Ross, Michael W
  • New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
Ralston, Sarah
  • New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
Bell, Garrett
  • New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
Mackie, Sarah
  • New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
Ortved, Kyla
  • New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / etiology
  • Horse Diseases / physiopathology
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Horses
  • Longevity
  • Male
  • Osteochondrosis / etiology
  • Osteochondrosis / physiopathology
  • Osteochondrosis / surgery
  • Osteochondrosis / veterinary
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Bertuglia A, Pallante M, Pagliara E, Valle D, Bergamini L, Bollo E, Bullone M, Riccio B. Determinants of joint effusion in tarsocrural osteochondrosis of yearling Standardbred horses. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1389798.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1389798pubmed: 39113724google scholar: lookup
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