Results of physical inspection before races and race-related characteristics and their association with musculoskeletal injuries in Thoroughbreds during races.

This research article explores the correlation between pre-race physical inspections, race-related characteristics and the occurrence of musculoskeletal injuries in Thoroughbred horses during races. The researchers discovered that specific factors like abnormalities of the suspensory ligament detected in pre-race checks, the type and location of the race, and race distance, play a significant role in injury risk.

Study Design and Methodology

• The researchers designed a cohort study centered on 2,187 Thoroughbred horses that started in 3,227 races held in Kentucky.
• This study included all race starts where a horse was considered at an increased risk of injury based on pre-race physical inspections, plus a random sample of race starts where horses were not deemed at increased risk.
• The pre-race physical inspection findings, race-related characteristics, and the outcome of the race (including race results and whether the horse sustained an injury) were all recorded.
• Race starts where a horse was injured were compared with those where injuries did not occur to identify factors associated with injuries during races.

Results and Findings

• The study found that abnormalities in the suspensory ligament of the forelimbs detected during the pre-race physical inspection were significantly associated with increased risk of injury.
• Other factors closely linked to injury risk were the type of race (with lower-priced claiming races more risky), shorter race distances (less than 7 furlongs), and the specific racetrack where the event was held.

Conclusions

• The study concluded that pre-race physical inspection findings, particularly abnormalities detected in the suspensory ligament, can be helpful in identifying horses at increased risk of sustaining injuries during races.
• The rate of injury was found to differ among racetracks. Additionally, horses participating in certain types of races (lower-priced claiming races and races of shorter distance) were highlighted as being at potentially higher risk of injury.