Retrospective evaluation of all recorded horse race starts in Switzerland during a four year period focusing on discipline-specific risk factors for clinical events.

This study analysed horse race data in Switzerland to identify discipline-specific factors that influence the occurrence of clinical events on racetracks, with high priority on improving racehorse welfare. Specific factors that influenced the risk varied per discipline including race track materials, dual-role drivers/trainers, racing distances, and finishing positions.

Objectives and Methodology

• The research aimed at pinpointing discipline-specific factors that affect the likelihood of clinical events during horse races. This was fuelled by the need to enhance monitoring and safety on Swiss racetracks and, consequently, improve racehorse welfare.
• Researchers conducted a retrospective study of horse race data sourced from Swiss horse racing association. They analyzed all horse race starts spanning a period of four years (2009-2012) including 6,198 flat, 1,257 obstacle, and 10,215 trot race starts, presenting a total of 17,670 race starts.
• The various factors taken into account involved the features of both horse and racecourse. They used multivariable mixed effect logistic regression models to identify factors that influenced the occurrence of clinical events during races.

Results and Conclusion

• The findings revealed that discipline-specific risk factors varied for each race type. For instance, the likelihood of a clinical event in trot racing decreased when racing on a Porphyre sand track as opposed to grass tracks. Furthermore, horses whose driver doubled as their trainer had approximately two times higher risk of clinical events.
• In obstacle races, racing over longer distances (2401-3300 m and 3301-5400 m) had a protective effect against clinical events compared to shorter distances. On the other hand, five racecourses reported significantly fewer clinical events during flat racing.
• In all three disciplines, it was observed that finishing in eighth place or later was correlated with clinical events.
• From the yielded results, the study concluded that efforts to enhance safety and welfare conditions for racehorses, specifically through racetrack modifications, need to be tailored to suit each respective racing discipline.