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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Locomotory Profiles in Thoroughbreds: Peak Stride Length and...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2022; 12(23); 3269; doi: 10.3390/ani12233269

Locomotory Profiles in Thoroughbreds: Peak Stride Length and Frequency in Training and Association with Race Outcomes.

Abstract: Racehorses competing in short (i.e., ‘sprinters’), middle- or longer-distance (i.e., ‘stayers’) flat races are assumed to have natural variation in locomotion; sprinters having an innately shorter stride than stayers. No study has objectively tested this theory. Here, racehorses (n = 421) were categorised as sprinters, milers or stayers based on known race distance (n = 3269 races). Stride parameters (peak length and frequency) of those racehorses were collected from prior race-pace training sessions on turf (n = 2689; ‘jumpout’, n = 1013), using a locomotion monitoring device. Pedigree information for all 421 racehorses was extracted to three-generations. In training, sprinters had a shorter stride of higher frequency and covered consecutive furlongs faster than stayers (p < 0.001). Relatively short or longer stride did not predict race success, but stayers had greater race success than sprinters (p < 0.001). Peak stride length and frequency were moderately heritable (h2 = 0.15 and 0.20, respectively). In conclusion, differences in stride were apparent between sprinters and stayers (e.g., shorter stride in sprinters) during routine training, even after accounting for their pedigree. Objective data on stride characteristics could supplement other less objectively obtained parameters to benefit trainers in the appropriate selection of races for each individual racehorse.
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Publication Date: 2022-11-24 PubMed ID: 36496790PubMed Central: PMC9741461DOI: 10.3390/ani12233269Google 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 reveals that horses’ stride characteristics, such as length and frequency, vary depending on whether they are sprinters or stayers, and these characteristics can significantly impact their racing outcomes. The study also found that these stride features are moderately heritable in racing horses.

Research Objectives and Methodology

  • The research aimed to investigate a prevailing assumption that sprinters (racehorses competing in short races) naturally have a shorter stride length than stayers (those competing in middle to long-distance races). This assumption has not been scientifically tested prior to this study.
  • The study involved 421 racehorses sorted into sprinters, milers, or stayers, determined by the distance of races they were known to excel in. The distance data was drawn from 3269 races in total.
  • Stride parameters such as peak length and frequency were collected from previous race-pace training sessions using a locomotion monitoring device. Pedigree information up to three generations was also gathered.

Key Findings

  • In training, sprinters demonstrated a shorter stride of higher frequency and covered consecutive units of distance or furlongs faster than stayers.
  • However, whether a racehorse had a relatively short or long stride was not a predictor of their success in races. Interestingly, stayers exhibited a higher success rate in races than sprinters did.
  • Both peak stride length and frequency were found to be moderately heritable, with heritability quotients of 0.15 and 0.20 respectively.

Research Significance

  • The study provides objective evidence that there are distinct differences in stride characteristics between sprinters and stayers. This difference holds true even after accounting for pedigree, suggesting that stride traits aren’t merely a result of breeding but could be associated with the natural locomotion of the horses.
  • This objective data on stride characteristics could aid horse trainers in the strategic selection of races for individual racehorses, potentially optimizing their performance and success.

Cite This Article

APA
Schrurs C, Blott S, Dubois G, Van Erck-Westergren E, Gardner DS. (2022). Locomotory Profiles in Thoroughbreds: Peak Stride Length and Frequency in Training and Association with Race Outcomes. Animals (Basel), 12(23), 3269. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12233269

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 23
PII: 3269

Researcher Affiliations

Schrurs, Charlotte
  • School of Veterinary Medicine & Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK.
Blott, Sarah
  • School of Veterinary Medicine & Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK.
Dubois, Guillaume
  • Arioneo Ltd., 94 Boulevard Auguste Blanqui, 75013 Paris, France.
Van Erck-Westergren, Emmanuelle
  • Equine Sports Medicine Practice, 83 Avenue Beau Séjour, 1410 Waterloo, Belgium.
Gardner, David S
  • School of Veterinary Medicine & Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK.

Conflict of Interest Statement

Charlotte Schrurs is self-funding her Ph.D. David S. Gardner and Sarah Blott are funded by The School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham. Guillaume Dubois is an employee of Arioneo Ltd. and had no influence on the reporting of results as presented. Emmanuelle Van Erck-Westergren is an Equine Sports Medicine specialist and consultant for Arioneo Ltd.

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