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Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association1994; 204(4); 620-626;

Prevalence of, and factors associated with, musculoskeletal racing injuries of thoroughbreds.

Abstract: All horses diagnosed by a commission veterinarian of the Kentucky Racing Commission as having sustained a musculoskeletal injury, defined as an obvious change in soundness immediately before, during, or after a race held between Jan 1, 1992 and May 31, 1993 were included in a study to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with racing injuries involving the musculoskeletal system of horses competing at 4 Thoroughbred racetracks in Kentucky. During the 17-month study, there were 35,484 racing starts among 7,649 horses in 3,824 official Kentucky Racing Commission races. During this period, 132 musculoskeletal racing injuries were diagnosed among 117 horses. Twenty-eight injured horses were male, 46 were geldings, and 43 were female. The prevalence of horses with racing injuries per racing start was 0.33% (117/35,484). The injuries of 51 horses were classified as catastrophic, and 66 as noncatastrophic. The prevalence of horses with catastrophic injuries per racing start was 0.14% (51/35,484). The proportion of horses with injuries of the left forelimb, sesamoid, and third metacarpal bone in the catastrophic group was significantly (P < or = 0.05) greater than those of horses in the noncatastrophic group. The proportion of horses with injuries of the superficial digital flexor tendon among those in the catastrophic group was significantly less than that of horses in the noncatastrophic group. The distance of the race was significantly shorter and the number of turns less among horses with catastrophic injuries than among horses with noncatastrophic injuries.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Publication Date: 1994-02-15 PubMed ID: 8163419
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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 study examines the prevalence and causes of bone and muscle injuries in racehorses in Kentucky. Over a 17-month period, 132 orthopedic injuries were identified among competitors, with certain factors like race distance and the number of turns being linked to the severity of the injury.

Research Objectives

  • The primary purpose of this study was to analyze the prevalence of musculoskeletal racing injuries in racehorses over a 17-month period.
  • Another key objective was to find out the associated factors that contribute to these injuries.

Study Methods

  • All injuries were diagnosed by a commission veterinarian of the Kentucky Racing Commission between January 1, 1992, and May 31, 1993.
  • An injury was defined as any obvious change in a horse’s soundness observed immediately before, during, or after a race.
  • The study included horses racing at four Thoroughbred racetracks in Kentucky. During this period, 7,649 horses competed in 3,824 official Kentucky Racing Commission races.

Findings and Conclusions

  • A total of 132 musculoskeletal injuries were recorded among 117 horses, with a prevalence rate of 0.33% per racing start.
  • Of these injured horses, 28 were male, 46 were geldings, and 43 were female.
  • The researchers categorized 51 of these injuries as catastrophic and the remaining 66 as noncatastrophic, with the catastrophic injury prevalence being 0.14% per racing start.
  • The study also found a significant correlation between the type of injury and its severity. More specifically, horses with catastrophic injuries showed a greater incidence of injuries to the left forelimb, sesamoid, and third metacarpal bone, as compared to those with noncatastrophic injuries.
  • In contrast, horses in the catastrophic group were less likely to sustain injuries to the superficial digital flexor tendon.
  • Moreover, the study noted that catastrophic injuries were more common in races with shorter distances and fewer turns.

In conclusion, this study offers valuable insights into the factors contributing to musculoskeletal injuries in racehorses and might help in developing preventive measures.

Cite This Article

APA
Peloso JG, Mundy GD, Cohen ND. (1994). Prevalence of, and factors associated with, musculoskeletal racing injuries of thoroughbreds. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 204(4), 620-626.

Publication

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
ISSN: 0003-1488
NlmUniqueID: 7503067
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 204
Issue: 4
Pages: 620-626

Researcher Affiliations

Peloso, J G
  • Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843-4475.
Mundy, G D
    Cohen, N D

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
      • Athletic Injuries / etiology
      • Athletic Injuries / veterinary
      • Breeding
      • Extremities / injuries
      • Female
      • Horses / injuries
      • Kentucky / epidemiology
      • Male
      • Musculoskeletal System / injuries
      • Prevalence
      • Retrospective Studies

      Citations

      This article has been cited 14 times.
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      12. Zhang Z, Li J, Mai Z, Yang Y, Fu H, Cao X, Li T, Guo Q, Ma Y. Clinical study on the effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on healing of proximal sesamoid bone fractures in Yili horses. Sci Rep 2025 Aug 28;15(1):31697.
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