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New Zealand veterinary journal2005; 53(1); 69-76; doi: 10.1080/00480169.2005.36471

Profiling the New Zealand Thoroughbred racing industry. 2. Conditions interfering with training and racing.

Abstract: To describe and enumerate conditions that interrupted training and racing in a population of Thoroughbred racehorses in New Zealand. Methods: A longitudinal study design was used to collect data on horses training under the care of 20 licensed racehorse trainers from venues in the mid to lower regions of the North Island between October 1997 and July 2000. Incidence rates were reported for first and second occurrences for different categories of musculoskeletal injury (MSI), and first occurrences of upper and lower respiratory tract disease, using training days as time-at-risk. The proportion of horses that retired or died due to MSI, respiratory tract or miscellaneous conditions was used to estimate risk of exit for each type of event. Duration of training preparation, starts per 100 training days, and proportion of starts that ended in first, second or third place, were calculated for horses at risk for first MSI, and all subsequent MSIs. In training preparations that had at least one start and that ended in MSI, the cumulative percentage of MSIs by day of diagnosis was reported for 0-21 days after the last start in the preparation. Results: Horses (n=1,571) were followed during 3,333 training preparations and 392,290 training days. Events associated with the end of a training preparation or spell period included MSI (n=834), respiratory event (RE; n=165), miscellaneous event (ME; n=58), and voluntary retirements (n=360). Causes of MSI included lameness (n=400), shin soreness (n=207), tendon and ligament conditions (n=98), injury or laceration (n=56), fractures (n=55), and back disorders (n=18). MSIs involved the limbs in 97% of cases, and the lower limbs up to the carpus or hock in the fore- and hindlimbs, respectively, in 81% of cases. Most (93%) lower limb conditions involved a forelimb while 70% of MSIs that involved structures above the carpus or hock involved a hindlimb. Incidence rates (IRs) are reported for each age group for first and second occurrences of MSI, and first occurrence of upper and lower respiratory tract disease. The risk of MSI was higher in horses that had incurred one previous MSI (RR 1.4, 95% CI=1.2-1.7; p or =5 years. A reduction in the number of starts per 100 training days was observed in horses aged > or =5 years when returning to training after an initial MSI (p=0.004). Male horses of all age groups and females younger than 4 years had shorter median training preparations (p<0.05) when returning to training after an initial MSI compared with preparations at risk for a first occurrence of MSI. Between 27 and 62% of cases of MSI that occurred in training preparations after at least one start were reported on the day of the last start, and the remainder were reported in the days to weeks following the last start of that preparation. Conclusions: Incidence rates, and proportions of affected horses that retired or died as a result of injury or disorder varied with type of injury and age of horse. Horses returning to training after an initial MSI were at higher risk of subsequent MSIs and showed changes in duration of training preparations, but little change in starts per 100 training days or probability of placing in each start. MSIs in racing horses were less likely to be reported on the day of a race than at other times in the training preparation for all ages except 2-year-olds.
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Publication Date: 2005-02-26 PubMed ID: 15731837DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2005.36471Google 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 research entitled “Profiling the New Zealand Thoroughbred racing industry: Conditions interfering with training and racing,” focuses on the identification and evaluation of conditions that affected the training and racing of Thoroughbred racehorses in New Zealand. It looks at the different types of musculoskeletal injuries and respiratory diseases affecting these horses and how such conditions affect their training, performance, and career longevity.

Methodology

  • The study operated on a longitudinal design wherein data was collected from more than 20 licensed horse trainers across various venues in the mid to lower North Island of New Zealand between the years 1997 and 2000.
  • The incidence rates for first and second occurrences of musculoskeletal injuries as well as the first occurrences of upper and lower respiratory tract diseases were reported based on the training days.
  • The team estimated risk of exit for various events by using the proportion of horses that retired or died from musculoskeletal injuries, respiratory tract, and miscellaneous conditions.
  • The study also calculated the duration of training preparation, starts per 100 training days, and proportion of starts that ended in first, second or third place, for horses at risk of their first musculoskeletal injury and any subsequent injuries.

Results

  • A total of 1,571 horses were involved in the study, undergoing 3,333 training preparations in 392,290 training days. Disorders that interrupted or ended training preparations and spell periods included musculoskeletal injuries, respiratory events, miscellaneous events, and voluntary retirements.
  • Different types of musculoskeletal injuries were noted wherein the limbs were mostly affected in 97% of cases. In lower limb conditions, a forelimb was mostly involved (93%) while 70% of musculoskeletal injuries above the carpus or hock involved a hindlimb.
  • The risk of a horse sustaining another musculoskeletal injury after recovering from one was found to be higher in comparison to those with no previous musculoskeletal injuries.
  • Retirement or death due to a disorder was observed to differ according to the type of injury. The highest proportion of exits was related to recurrent fractures, and tendon and ligament injuries.
  • The study also noted a gradual increase in the incidence rates of horse exits from the study due to retirement or death as the horse ages. A decrease in the number of starts per 100 training days was found in older horses returning to training after an initial musculoskeletal injury.

Conclusion

  • The findings revealed that the incidence rates, and proportions of affected horses that retired or died varied as per the type of injury and the age of the horse.
  • Horses returning to training after the first musculoskeletal injury were found to be at a greater risk for subsequent injuries. Although duration of training preparations changed, there was minimal change in starts per 100 training days or chance of placing in each start.
  • The study concluded that musculoskeletal injuries in racing horses were usually reported after the race day, except for 2-year-olds.

Cite This Article

APA
Perkins NR, Reid SW, Morris RS. (2005). Profiling the New Zealand Thoroughbred racing industry. 2. Conditions interfering with training and racing. N Z Vet J, 53(1), 69-76. https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2005.36471

Publication

New Zealand veterinary journal
ISSN: 0048-0169
NlmUniqueID: 0021406
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 53
Issue: 1
Pages: 69-76

Researcher Affiliations

Perkins, N R
  • Epicentre, Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand. n.r.perkins@massey.ac.nz
Reid, S W J
    Morris, R S

      MeSH Terms

      • Animal Husbandry
      • Animals
      • Female
      • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
      • Horse Diseases / etiology
      • Horses / physiology
      • Incidence
      • Industry
      • Lameness, Animal / epidemiology
      • Longitudinal Studies
      • Male
      • Musculoskeletal Diseases / epidemiology
      • Musculoskeletal Diseases / veterinary
      • New Zealand / epidemiology
      • Pedigree
      • Physical Conditioning, Animal
      • Respiratory Tract Diseases / epidemiology
      • Respiratory Tract Diseases / veterinary
      • Sports
      • Wounds and Injuries / epidemiology
      • Wounds and Injuries / veterinary

      Citations

      This article has been cited 24 times.
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