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Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association2016; 249(8); 931-939; doi: 10.2460/javma.249.8.931

Risk factors associated with fatal injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses competing in flat racing in the United States and Canada.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE To identify risk factors associated with fatal injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses in the United States and Canada. DESIGN Retrospective study. ANIMALS 1,891,483 race starts by 154,527 Thoroughbred racehorses at 89 racetracks in the United States and Canada from 2009 to 2013. PROCEDURES Data were extracted from the Equine Injury Database, which contained information for 93.9% of all official flat racing events in the United States and Canada during the 5-year observation period. Forty-four possible risk factors were evaluated by univariate then multivariable logistic regression to identify those that were significantly associated with fatal injury (death or euthanasia of a horse within 3 days after sustaining an injury during a race). RESULTS 3,572 race starts ended with a fatal injury, resulting in a period incidence rate of 1.9 fatal injuries/1,000 race starts. Twenty-two risk factors were significantly associated with fatal injury. Risk of fatal injury was greater for stallions than for mares and geldings and increased as the number of previous nonfatal injuries and race withdrawals and level of competitiveness (eg, horse's winning percentage and race purse) of the horse or race increased. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results identified several risk factors associated with fatal injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses. This information can be used as a guideline for the identification of racehorses at high risk of sustaining a fatal injury and in the design and implementation of preventative measures to minimize the number of fatal injuries sustained by horses competing in flat racing in the United States and Canada.
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Publication Date: 2016-10-05 PubMed ID: 27700272DOI: 10.2460/javma.249.8.931Google 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 investigates risk factors that contribute to fatal injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses participating in flat racing competitions in the United States and Canada.

Research Overview

Using data on 1,891,483 race starts from 154,527 Thoroughbred racehorses at 89 racetracks in the United States and Canada from 2009 to 2013, the research analyzes risk factors associated with fatal injuries in these horses. The chosen parameters were drawn from the Equine Injury Database, a comprehensive source that includes information on 93.9% of all official flat racing events in these two countries during the 5-year observation period.

Methodology

  • Forty-four possible risk factors were evaluated through a process of univariate and then multivariable logistic regression to isolate those significantly associated with fatal injuries.
  • The definition of fatal injuries included death or the euthanasia of a horse within three days after sustaining an injury during a race.

Results

  • The research noted a total of 3,572 race starts ended with a fatal injury, equating to a rate of 1.9 fatal injuries per 1,000 race starts.
  • Twenty-two risk factors were found to be significantly associated with these fatal injuries.
  • Increased risk of fatal injury was more common among stallions as compared to mares and geldings.
  • The risk of fatal injury also increased with the number of previous nonfatal injuries, race withdrawals, and the level of competitiveness – such as the horse’s winning percentage and the race’s purse.

Conclusion and Relevance

  • The findings of the research successfully establish several risk factors associated with fatal injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses.
  • These insights can be instrumental in identifying racehorses that are at high risk of sustaining a fatal injury and also aid in devising effective preventive measures.
  • By applying these findings, the number of fatal injuries can be minimized in horses competing in flat racing in the United States and Canada.

Cite This Article

APA
Georgopoulos SP, Parkin TD. (2016). Risk factors associated with fatal injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses competing in flat racing in the United States and Canada. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 249(8), 931-939. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.249.8.931

Publication

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
ISSN: 1943-569X
NlmUniqueID: 7503067
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 249
Issue: 8
Pages: 931-939

Researcher Affiliations

Georgopoulos, Stamatis P
    Parkin, Tim D H

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Canada / epidemiology
      • Female
      • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
      • Horse Diseases / etiology
      • Horse Diseases / mortality
      • Horses / injuries
      • Logistic Models
      • Male
      • Multivariate Analysis
      • Risk Factors
      • Sports
      • United States / epidemiology
      • Wounds and Injuries / veterinary

      Citations

      This article has been cited 18 times.
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