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New Zealand veterinary journal2005; 53(3); 184-192; doi: 10.1080/00480169.2005.36503

Risk factors for injury to the superficial digital flexor tendon and suspensory apparatus in Thoroughbred racehorses in New Zealand.

Abstract: To investigate risk factors for injury to the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and suspensory apparatus (SA) of the forelimbs in Thoroughbred racehorses in New Zealand. Methods: Poisson and negative binomial regression, with exposure time represented by cumulative training days for each horse, were used to relate explanatory variables to the incidence rate (IR) of cases of inflammation of the SDFT (n=51), and injuries involving the SA (n=48) in a population of 1,571 commercially- trained racehorses over 554,745 study days. Only the first occurrence of an injury for any one horse was eligible for inclusion. Separate analyses were run for data from horses in training regardless of whether they had started in a trial or race, and using a subset of these data restricted to those preparations associated with at least one start in a trial or race. Results were reported as incidence rate ratios (IRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Male horses had a higher risk of injury to the SA (IRR 2.57; p=0.005) and tended to have a higher risk of injury to the SDFT (IRR 1.74; p=0.09) than female horses. Increasing age was associated with increased risk of injury. Horses aged 4 and > or =5 years were 6.76 (p<0.001) and 15.26 (p<0.001) times more likely to incur injury to the SDFT, and 2.91 (p=0.02) and 3.54 (p=0.005) times more likely to incur injury to the SA, respectively, than 2-year-olds. Horses were more likely to suffer an injury to the SDFT or SA in a training preparation that was not associated with any starts in official trials or races compared with those preparations that were associated with more than one start (p<0.001), and more likely to injure the SA compared with preparations containing one start (p=0.03). The IR of injury to the SDFT tended to be lower between November-January (IRR 0.78; p=0.08) and February-April (IRR 0.75; p=0.08) compared with August-October. Incidence of injury to the SDFT or SA was not associated with the cumulative distance raced in the last 30 days of a training preparation. Conclusions: This study identified risk factors for injury to the SDFT and SA in Thoroughbred racehorses in New Zealand. Injuries were more likely in males, older horses and in horses in training preparations without any starts. There was no evidence of association between injury and cumulative high-speed exercise.
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Publication Date: 2005-07-14 PubMed ID: 16012588DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2005.36503Google 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.

This research study explores the risk factors related to injuries in the superficial digital flexor tendon and suspensory apparatus in New Zealand’s Thoroughbred racehorses, finding that these injuries are more common in male, older horses, and in those without any starts in their training preparations.

Study Design and Methods

  • The study employed Poisson and negative binomial regression to interpret explanatory variables related to the incidence of injuries in the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and the suspensory apparatus (SA) in forelimbs.
  • The study population was comprised of 1,571 commercially trained racehorses, studied over 554,745 cumulative training days.
  • Only the first instance of injury for each horse was considered.
  • The data was analyzed both for horses in training irrespective of whether they had started a trial or race and for a subset of horses with at least one start in a trial or race.

Results

  • Male horses were found to be at a higher risk of injury to the SA and were more likely to suffer injury to the SDFT than female horses.
  • Increasing age was a significant risk factor for injury. Compared to 2-year-olds, 4-year-old horses were approximately 6.76 times more likely to sustain an injury to the SDFT and horses aged 5 and above were roughly 15.26 times more likely. The risk of an injury to the SA was also higher for 4-year-olds and those aged 5 and above than for 2-year-olds.
  • Horses which were in training preparation not associated with any starts in official trials or races had a higher likelihood of incurring a SDFT or SA injury compared to those with more than one start.
  • The instance of injury to the SDFT was slightly lower between the months of November to April when compared with August to October.
  • The study found no connection between the cumulative distance raced in the last 30 days of a training preparation and the incidence of injury to the SDFT or SA.

Conclusions

  • The study successfully identified several risk factors for injuries to the SDFT and SA in Thoroughbred racehorses in New Zealand.
  • Injuries were found to be more prevalent in male horses, in older horses, and in horses that hadn’t started any official trials or races during their training preparations.
  • There was no evidence to suggest that cumulative high-speed exercise was a risk factor for these injuries.

Cite This Article

APA
Perkins NR, Reid SW, Morris RS. (2005). Risk factors for injury to the superficial digital flexor tendon and suspensory apparatus in Thoroughbred racehorses in New Zealand. N Z Vet J, 53(3), 184-192. https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2005.36503

Publication

New Zealand veterinary journal
ISSN: 0048-0169
NlmUniqueID: 0021406
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 53
Issue: 3
Pages: 184-192

Researcher Affiliations

Perkins, N R
  • EpiCentre, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand. nigel@ausvet.com.au
Reid, S W J
    Morris, R S

      MeSH Terms

      • Age Factors
      • Animals
      • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
      • Athletic Injuries / veterinary
      • Case-Control Studies
      • Female
      • Forelimb / injuries
      • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
      • Horse Diseases / etiology
      • Horses / injuries
      • Longitudinal Studies
      • Male
      • New Zealand / epidemiology
      • Physical Conditioning, Animal
      • Risk Factors
      • Seasons
      • Sex Factors
      • Surveys and Questionnaires
      • Tendinopathy / epidemiology
      • Tendinopathy / veterinary
      • Tendon Injuries / epidemiology
      • Tendon Injuries / veterinary

      Citations

      This article has been cited 21 times.
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