Racehorse injuries, clinical problems and fatalities recorded on British racecourses from flat racing and National Hunt racing during 1996, 1997 and 1998.
Abstract: For improvements to the safety and welfare of racehorses to be possible, it is essential to have access to basic descriptive information about the veterinary incidents encountered during horseracing. A 3 year surveillance study (1996-1998) was conducted by The Jockey Club into racing injuries, other postrace clinical problems and fatalities from all 59 British racecourses (mainland Britain only) to identify risk factors. During the survey there were 222,993 racing starts: 106,897 starts in flat races on turf (47.9%), 26,519 starts in flat races on all-weather surfaces (11.9%), 30,932 starts in chases on turf (13.9%), 51,786 starts in hurdle races on turf (23.2%) and 6,859 starts in National Hunt flat races (3.1%). Information was recorded about age of horses, racing surfaces and clinical events observed or attended by a veterinary team of 2 clinicians and one veterinary surgeon employed by the racing authority. Of the 2358 clinical events reported (1.05% of all starts), 1937 involved the musculoskeletal system and 421 involved other body systems. Six hundred and fifty-seven incidents (0.29% of starts) resulted in death or euthanasia. Eighty-one percent of limb injury reports involved forelimbs and 46% involved flexor tendons/suspensory ligaments. Nonlimb problems included epistaxis (0.83/1000 starts), 'exhausted horse syndrome' (0.47/1000 starts) and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (0.20/1000 starts). Incidents including fatalities per 1000 starts were 24.7 from chases, 19.45 from hurdle races, 8.46 from National Hunt flat races and 3.97 from flat races. The overall tendon injury was higher in chases than in hurdle races, even though age-specific rates of tendon injury were higher in hurdle races than in chases. The risk of injuries per start increased significantly with age, while softer racing surfaces were associated with fewer fatalities and injuries than firmer surfaces. The survey described in this paper has provided an up-to-date description of the fatal and non-fatal horseracing incidents under conditions on mainland Britain, enabling progress to be made towards improving the safety and welfare of racehorses.
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The research article focuses on a study analyzing injury patterns, clinical issues, and fatalities among racehorses on British racecourses from 1996 to 1998.
Study Overview
The study was a surveillance analysis carried out over three years (1996-1998) by The Jockey Club. The intent was to gather comprehensive data about racing injuries, clinical problems, and fatalities among racehorses across all 59 racecourses in mainland Britain.
222,993 racing starts were monitored, including different types of races (flat on turf, flat on all-weather surfaces, chases on turf, hurdle races on turf, and National Hunt flat races).
The observation team comprised two veterinarians and a veterinary surgeon. They documented horse ages, course conditions, and observed clinical events.
Findings of the study
Out of 222,993 racing starts, 2,358 clinical events were reported (approximately 1.05% of all starts). This included 1,937 incidents concerning the musculoskeletal system and 421 involving other body systems.
There were 657 instances (0.29% of all starts) causing death or necessitating euthanasia of the horse.
Of all limb injury reports, 81% involved forelimbs and 46% included flexor tendons or suspensory ligaments, critical elements in horse’s speed and jumping ability.
Non-limb problems reported included epistaxis (nosebleeds), ‘exhausted horse syndrome,’ and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (a heart condition).
Incidents and Risk Factors
The study indicated that the rate of incidents including fatalities per 1000 starts varied, being highest in chases (24.7 incidents), followed by hurdle races (19.45), National Hunt flat races (8.46), and flat races (3.97).
The risk of injuries per start increased significantly with the age of the horse.
Tendon injury rates were higher in chases than hurdle races overall, but when considering age-specific rates, tendon injuries were higher in hurdle races.
The condition of the racing surface played a role in injuries and fatalities, with softer surfaces linked to fewer incidents than firmer ones.
Implications of the Study
The surveillance study provides an updated description of both fatal and non-fatal incidents in horse racing under various conditions across mainland Britain.
The findings could pave the way for enhancing safety measures and the welfare of racehorses, as they offer comprehensive insight into the common types of incidents, injury patterns and related risk factors.
Cite This Article
APA
Williams RB, Harkins LS, Hammond CJ, Wood JL.
(2001).
Racehorse injuries, clinical problems and fatalities recorded on British racecourses from flat racing and National Hunt racing during 1996, 1997 and 1998.
Equine Vet J, 33(5), 478-486.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516401776254808
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