Musculoskeletal disease and injury, now and in the future. Part 1: fractures and fatalities.

This research article reviews current knowledge on the causes and potential prevention of fractures and fatalities in Thoroughbred racehorses, highlighting the significant influence of track surface conditions, pre-existing orthopaedic conditions, and the horse’s racing and training history.

Background

• The article focuses on orthopaedic injuries, a prevalent health issue in Thoroughbred racehorses that causes significant economic loss in the racing industry, and constitutes a considerable welfare concern.
• Urbanized injuries that result in fatalities during races are a major concern, prompting a call for measures to reduce their occurrence.
• To this end, the Horserace Betting Levy Board in the UK has made significant investments in research into these causes of horse morbidity and mortality.

Review of Current Knowledge

• The authors summarize the existing knowledge obtained from epidemiological investigations into fractures, falls, and fatalities in racing Thoroughbreds.
• These studies emphasize the crucial role of track surface conditions in preventing injuries and deaths, further stressing the importance of maintaining appropriate conditions on racing tracks.
• Pre-existing orthopaedic pathologies have also been identified as significant determinants of injuries and fatalities, suggesting that horses need thorough health checks and proper condition management before participating in races.
• The horse’s past training and racing experiences also play crucial roles in determining their risk of injury and death. This indicates that appropriate training and careful monitoring of horses’ performance could help prevent severe orthopaedic injuries.

Application of Findings

• The research findings discussed in the article can be used to develop impactful interventions for reducing the frequency of racehorse injuries and deaths.
• The application of these findings would confer benefits both to the racing industry and the Thoroughbred horses, minimizing economic losses and enhancing horse welfare.