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Equine veterinary journal2004; 36(6); 521-526; doi: 10.2746/0425164044877332

Race- and course-level risk factors for fatal distal limb fracture in racing Thoroughbreds.

Abstract: Considerable variation in the rates of equine fatality at different racecourses draws attention to probable risk factors at the level of course or race that might be partly responsible. Distal limb fractures are the most common cause of equine fatality on UK racecourses and identification of risk factors for such injuries and subsequent implementation of intervention strategies could significantly reduce the total number of racecourse fatalities. Objective: To identify race- and course-level risk factors for fatal distal limb fracture in Thoroughbreds on UK racecourses. Methods: A case-control study design was used. Case races were defined as those in which one or more horses sustained fatal fracture of the distal limb. Controls were selected in 2 different ways. Firstly, 3 races in which no fracture occurred were selected from all races of the same type held within 5 days of the case race (Analysis 1). Secondly, 3 control races were selected for each case race from all races of the same type held in the same year (Analysis 2). One hundred and nine cases were included in the study. Information about the race and the racecourses was collected from Computer Raceform. Conditional logistic regression was used to identify the relationship between a number of independent variables and the likelihood of fracture in a race. Results: Longer races with a larger number of runners were more likely to contain a fracture. Firmer going and fewer days since the last race on the same course were associated with an increased risk of fracture. The going at the course at the previous race meeting was also associated with the likelihood of fracture. Conclusions: Modifications to the going on the day of a race and greater emphasis on ground maintenance between race meetings may have an impact on the risk of fatal distal limb fracture during racing. Conclusions: Modification of risk factors such as the going and number of days since the last race meeting could reduce the number of equine fatalities on UK racecourses. The condition of the racecourse may be an important risk factor and future research should focus on the identification of course maintenance techniques that produce the safest possible racing surfaces.
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Publication Date: 2004-10-06 PubMed ID: 15460077DOI: 10.2746/0425164044877332Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

This research investigates the risk factors associated with fatal fractures on distal limbs in Thoroughbred horses in the UK and proposes potential interventions to reduce fatalities. Among the identified risk factors are longer races, a larger number of runners, firmer grounds, and lesser days since the last race on the same course.

Study Design

  • The research employs a case-control study design, where case races are those in which fatal fractures on distal limbs occurred. On the contrary, control races are ones with no such incidents.
  • The control races are selected in two ways. One way is choosing three races of the same type as the case race but held within five days of the case race. The other way includes selecting three races identical to the case race but from the ones held in the same year.
  • In total, the study incorporates 109 cases.
  • The researchers gathered the information about each case race and the respective racecourse from Computer Raceform, an online database for horse racing.
  • They applied Conditional logistic regression to pinpoint the relationship between several independent variables and the likelihood of fractures during a race.

Findings

  • The study reveals that longer races involving a greater number of horses were more likely to result in fractures.
  • Races held on firmer grounds and fewer days since the last race on the same racecourse were linked to a heightened risk of fracture.
  • The condition of the racecourse during previous race meetings was also related to the likelihood of fractures.

Conclusions

  • According to the study conclusions, adjusting the ground condition on the racing day and emphasizing ground maintenance between races might influence the risk of fatal distal limb fractures during races.
  • Alterations to risk factors such as ground conditions and the number of days since the last race could lead to a reduction in fatalities on UK racecourses.
  • The study identifies the condition of the racecourse as a possible major risk factor, suggesting future research to identify maintenance techniques that ensure the safest race surfaces.

Cite This Article

APA
Parkin TD, Clegg PD, French NP, Proudman CJ, Riggs CM, Singer ER, Webbon PM, Morgan KL. (2004). Race- and course-level risk factors for fatal distal limb fracture in racing Thoroughbreds. Equine Vet J, 36(6), 521-526. https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164044877332

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 36
Issue: 6
Pages: 521-526

Researcher Affiliations

Parkin, T D H
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, University of Liverpool Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Leahurst, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, UK.
Clegg, P D
    French, N P
      Proudman, C J
        Riggs, C M
          Singer, E R
            Webbon, P M
              Morgan, K L

                MeSH Terms

                • Animals
                • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
                • Athletic Injuries / etiology
                • Athletic Injuries / mortality
                • Athletic Injuries / veterinary
                • Case-Control Studies
                • Crowding
                • Female
                • Fractures, Bone / epidemiology
                • Fractures, Bone / etiology
                • Fractures, Bone / mortality
                • Fractures, Bone / veterinary
                • Horses / injuries
                • Incidence
                • Logistic Models
                • Male
                • Multivariate Analysis
                • Physical Conditioning, Animal / adverse effects
                • Risk Factors
                • Running / injuries
                • Survival Analysis
                • Time Factors
                • United Kingdom / epidemiology

                Citations

                This article has been cited 30 times.
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