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Equine veterinary journal2005; 37(3); 192-199; doi: 10.2746/0425164054530641

Risk factors for fatal lateral condylar fracture of the third metacarpus/metatarsus in UK racing.

Abstract: Lateral condylar fractures of the third metacarpus/metatarsus are the most common cause of equine fatality on UK racecourses. Identification of risk factors for such injuries and the subsequent implementation of intervention strategies could significantly reduce the total number of racecourse fatalities. Objective: To identify horse-, race- and course-level risk factors for fatal lateral condylar fracture in Thoroughbreds on UK racecourses. Methods: Case-control study designs were used. Case horses were defined as those that were subjected to euthanasia having sustained an irreparable lateral condylar fracture while racing at any of the 59 UK racecourses. Case races were defined as those in which one or more horses sustained a fatal lateral condylar fracture. Three controls for each case horse were selected at random from the race in which the case was running. Three controls for each case race were selected at random from all races of the same type held in the same year. Ninety-eight cases were included in the study. Conditional logistic regression was used to identify the relationship between a number of independent variables and the likelihood of fracture. Results: Horses doing no gallop work during training and those in their first year of racing were at significantly increased risk of fracture on the racecourse. Case horses were also more likely to have started racing as 3- or 4-year-olds. Fractures were found to be more likely in longer races with a larger number of runners, races in which professional jockeys were not permitted to ride and races in which the going was described as firm or hard. Conclusions: Modifications to training schedules, specifically within the first year of racing, may have a large impact on the risk of fatal lateral condylar fracture on the racecourse. Horses should do some gallop work in training and our results suggest that the minimum distance galloped should be between 201 m (1 furlong) and 1609 m (8 furlongs) per week. The association with age at first race requires further investigation for flat and National Hunt racing separately. A reduction in the number of races taking place on very firm going could have an impact on the number of lateral condylar fractures.
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Publication Date: 2005-05-17 PubMed ID: 15892225DOI: 10.2746/0425164054530641Google 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.

The researchers investigated the main risk factors for fatal leg fractures in racehorses in the UK. Evidence indicated that a lack of galloping activity during training and competing in the first year of racing amplified these risks. Training modifications and reducing the number of races on very firm ground could help mitigate these risks

Objective and Methodology

  • The primary objective of this study was to identify the horse-, race-, and course-level risk factors for fatal lateral condylar fractures in Thoroughbreds on UK racecourses.
  • The researchers used a case-control study design where case horses were defined as those euthanized after sustaining an irreparable lateral condylar fracture during a race at any of the 59 UK racecourses.
  • For each case horse, three control horses were randomly selected from the same race. For each case race, three control races were randomly chosen from all races of the same type held in the same year.
  • A total of ninety-eight cases were included in this research and a conditional logistic regression was utilized to determine the relationship between various independent variables and the likelihood of fracture.

Results

  • The researchers discovered that horses not doing any gallop work during training and those in their initial year of racing were at a considerably increased risk of fracture on the racecourse.
  • An additional finding was horses that began racing at the age of three or four were also more prone to fractures.
  • The results also suggested that fractures were likely to be more frequent in longer races with a higher number of runners, races where professional jockeys were not allowed, and races conducted on firm or hard grounds.

Conclusion

  • The study concluded that modifications in training schedules could significantly lower the risk of fatal lateral condylar fractures on racecourses. Specifically, horses should be required to do some amount of gallop work in training, with a suggested minimum distance between 201 meters (one furlong) and 1609 meters (eight furlongs) per week.
  • The correlations discovered with the age at the first race would require further investigation, specifically for flat and National Hunt racing.
  • Another recommendation made was a reduction in the number of races taking place on very firm grounds, as it could have a significant impact on the number of lateral condylar fractures.

Cite This Article

APA
Parkin TD, Clegg PD, French NP, Proudman CJ, Riggs CM, Singer ER, Webbon PM, Morgan KL. (2005). Risk factors for fatal lateral condylar fracture of the third metacarpus/metatarsus in UK racing. Equine Vet J, 37(3), 192-199. https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164054530641

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 37
Issue: 3
Pages: 192-199

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

                • Age Factors
                • Animals
                • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
                • Athletic Injuries / etiology
                • Athletic Injuries / mortality
                • Athletic Injuries / veterinary
                • Case-Control Studies
                • Fractures, Bone / epidemiology
                • Fractures, Bone / etiology
                • Fractures, Bone / mortality
                • Fractures, Bone / veterinary
                • Horses / injuries
                • Likelihood Functions
                • Logistic Models
                • Metacarpus / injuries
                • Metatarsus / injuries
                • Multivariate Analysis
                • Physical Conditioning, Animal / adverse effects
                • Physical Conditioning, Animal / methods
                • Risk Factors
                • Running / injuries
                • Survival Analysis
                • United Kingdom / epidemiology

                Citations

                This article has been cited 25 times.
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