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Equine veterinary journal2022; 55(4); 632-641; doi: 10.1111/evj.13875

Risk factors for lameness elimination in British endurance riding.

Abstract: Horse welfare is a priority in the equine sport of endurance riding. Identification and reduction of risk factors associated with elimination and lameness have been the focus of research to date, however, this has centred on international competition. National federations recognise there is a need to consider risk factors for elimination at a more local level. Objective: Determine current risk factors associated with horse eliminations, specifically lameness eliminations within British endurance. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Data were extracted from the Endurance GB database, for open and advanced horses, competing in rides >64 km in the 2017 and 2018 competitive seasons. Variables were analysed via univariable models which informed subsequent multivariable binary logistic regression modelling. Two models were completed: (A) horse eliminated vs. not eliminated and (B) horse lame vs. not lame. Results: One thousand seven hundred and forty-seven competitive starts were analysed; 542 horses were eliminated. Lameness accounted for 56.1% (n = 304) of eliminations. Multivariable analysis identified decreased odds of lameness in graded rides compared with race rides (adjusted odds ratio, OR 0.6; 95% confidence interval, CI 0.4-0.8). There were increased odds of elimination (OR 4.7, CI 3.5-6.5) and increased odds of lameness (OR 1.9, CI 1.2-3.06) when competing in FEI competitions of 2* and above, compared to rides run under national rules. Horses and riders who had not competed as a combination previously had increased odds of elimination (OR 2.2, CI 1.5-3.02). Conclusions: Variables which can influence performance such as speed, environmental and topographical conditions were not recorded in the data set. Only two seasons of data were analysed. Conclusions: Competitive history of horses, including the number of previous starts, previous eliminations and the category of ride entered are significant in establishing the likelihood of elimination and more specifically lameness elimination in British national endurance.
© 2022 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2022-09-14 PubMed ID: 36102466DOI: 10.1111/evj.13875Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research investigates the current risk factors involved in horse elimination occurrences, particularly focusing on lameness eliminations in British endurance horse riding. The study uses historical data to identify these risk factors, and finds that the competitive history of horses including previous starts and eliminations, as well as the category of ride they compete in, largely decide the possibility of elimination and particularly lameness elimination.

Methods

  • The research conducted is a retrospective cohort study, the data was extracted from the Endurance GB database specifically for open and advanced horses that participated in endurance rides of a distance longer than 64 km throughout the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
  • The data was first analysed through individual (univariable) models then via a multivariable binary logistic regression model.
  • Two types of logistic models were framed. ‘A’ looked at the horse’s elimination status, whilst ‘B’ focused on whether the horse was lame or not.

Results

  • It was found from the data of 1,747 starts that 542 horses were eliminated, and out of those, lameness was the cause for 56.1% (304) of them.
  • After making adjustments and analysing results, it was found that the odds of lameness were much lower in graded rides compared to race rides (odds ratio: 0.6, confidence interval: 0.4-0.8)
  • More chances of elimination (odds ratio: 4.7, confidence interval: 3.5-6.5) and lameness (odds ratio: 1.9, confidence interval: 1.2-3.06) occurred in FEI competitions of 2* and higher, as compared to rides following national rules.
  • The incidents of elimination were also common with horses and riders who had not previously competed together (odds ratio: 2.2, confidence interval: 1.5-3.02).

Conclusions

  • Performance affecting variables like speed, environmental and topographical conditions were not factored in this specific analysis
  • Competitive history of the horses including previous eliminations and starts, as well as the category of rides entered were found significant in analysing the probability of elimination, and more specifically lameness in the British national endurance sport.
  • The conclusions were based only on two competitive seasons, suggesting more data might need to be analysed for a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.

Cite This Article

APA
Bloom F, Draper S, Bennet E, Marlin D, Williams J. (2022). Risk factors for lameness elimination in British endurance riding. Equine Vet J, 55(4), 632-641. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13875

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 55
Issue: 4
Pages: 632-641

Researcher Affiliations

Bloom, Fiona
  • Hartpury University, Gloucester, UK.
Draper, Stephen
  • Hartpury University, Gloucester, UK.
Bennet, Euan
  • University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
Marlin, David
  • AnimalWeb Ltd, Tennyson House, Cambridge Business Park, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK.
Williams, Jane
  • Hartpury University, Gloucester, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Lameness, Animal / epidemiology
  • Lameness, Animal / prevention & control
  • Physical Endurance
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / prevention & control
  • Horse Diseases / etiology
  • Risk Factors

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. Brito G, Damián JP, Suárez G, Ruprechter G, Trigo P. Characterization of Raid Hipico Uruguayo Competencies by Ride Type: Causes of Death and Risk Factors. Animals (Basel) 2023 May 10;13(10).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13101602pubmed: 37238032google scholar: lookup
  2. Brito G, Damián JP, Trigo P, Ruprechter G. Metabolic Profiles of Finishing and Nonfinishing Horses in Uruguayan Raid Competitions. Vet Med Int 2025;2025:4217400.
    doi: 10.1155/vmi/4217400pubmed: 41357616google scholar: lookup
  3. de Chiara M, Montano C, De Matteis A, Guidi L, Buono F, Auletta L, Del Prete C, Pasolini MP. Agreement between subjective gait assessment and markerless video gait-analysis in endurance horses. Equine Vet J 2026 Jan;58(1):60-67.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14516pubmed: 40257418google scholar: lookup
  4. Tranquille CA, Chojnacka K, Murray RC. Musculoskeletal Injury and Illness Patterns in British Eventing Horses: A Descriptive Study. Animals (Basel) 2024 Sep 13;14(18).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14182667pubmed: 39335262google scholar: lookup
  5. Forbes B, Ho W, Parkes RSV, Sepulveda Caviedes MF, Pfau T, Martel DR. Associations between Racing Thoroughbred Movement Asymmetries and Racing and Training Direction. Animals (Basel) 2024 Apr 3;14(7).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14071086pubmed: 38612325google scholar: lookup
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