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Home / Equine Research Bank / N Z Vet J / Risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries of the lower limbs...
New Zealand veterinary journal2005; 53(3); 171-183; doi: 10.1080/00480169.2005.36502

Risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries of the lower limbs in Thoroughbred racehorses in New Zealand.

Abstract: To investigate risk factors for injury to musculoskeletal structures of the lower fore- and hind-limbs of Thoroughbred horses training and racing in New Zealand. Methods: A case-control study analysed by logistic regression was used to compare explanatory variables for musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) in racehorses. The first dataset, termed the Training dataset, involved 459 first-occurrence cases of lower-limb MSI in horses in training, and the second, the Starting dataset, comprised a subset of those horses that had started in at least one trial or race in the training preparation that ended with MSI (n=294). All training preparations for horses that did not suffer from MSI for which complete data were available were used in the analyses as controls, and provided 2,181 and 1,639 preparations for the Training and Starting datasets, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate risk factors, and results were reported as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Horses aged > or =5 years were at higher risk of injury than 2-year-olds. Elevated odds of MSI occurred in horses in the Starting dataset that were training in the 1997-1998 year compared with the 1999-2000 year, and in those horses where trials comprised >20% of all starts in a preparation. Training preparations that ended in winter, and horses in their third or later training preparation, had lower odds of MSI compared with those ending in other seasons or the first preparation, respectively. Reduced odds of MSI were observed in preparations in which starts occurred compared with those that had no starts, and in the Starting dataset, preparations that included more than one start had a reduced likelihood of MSI compared with preparations that had only one start. In the Training dataset, preparations longer than 20 weeks were associated with reduced odds of MSI compared with those shorter than 20 weeks. Cumulative racing distance in the last 30 days of a training preparation was best modelled with linear and quadratic terms. Results indicated that increasing cumulative racing distances were associated with an initial reduction in the odds of MSI that then levelled out and finally appeared to increase again as the explanatory variable continued to increase. The risk of MSI varied significantly between trainers. Conclusions: This study identified intrinsic (age) and extrinsic risk factors for MSI in training and racing Thoroughbreds in New Zealand. The risk of MSI initially decreased, then increased, as cumulative racing distance increased. Significant variation between trainers indicated management and training methods influence the risk of MSI.
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Publication Date: 2005-07-14 PubMed ID: 16012587DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2005.36502Google 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 research is a comprehensive study on risk factors contributing to injuries in the musculoskeletal structures (bones, muscles, and related structures) of the lower limbs of Thoroughbred racehorses in New Zealand.

Methods and Study Design

  • The research uses a case-control study technique, which is a type of observational study design often used in epidemiology to identify and understand risk factors associated with diseases or conditions.
  • The study consists of two datasets: The Training dataset and the Starting dataset.
    • The Training dataset included 459 cases of first-time lower-limb musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) in horses undergoing training.
    • The Starting dataset, on the other hand, comprised a subset of the Training dataset involving horses that had started in at least one trial or race.
  • Control sets of all training horses that did not experience MSI with complete data available were used for comparison.
  • Multivariate logistic regression was utilized to assess risk factors. This statistical analysis method helps in determining the odds of a certain event (like an injury) happening in response to specific conditions or factors.
  • The outcomes of the regression analysis were reported as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), common metrics in epidemiological research indicating the degree of association between conditions and outcomes, and the reliability of the research findings, respectively.

Results

  • It was observed that horses aged five years and above were at higher risk of injuries compared to 2-year-olds.
  • Increased odds of MSI were noticed in horses in the Starting dataset that underwent training in 1997-1998 compared to 1999-2000. Also, horses in whose trials took over 20% of all starts in a preparation were more liable to suffer from MSI.
  • The chance of MSI was lower in training preparations ending in winter and in the third or later training preparations as compared to those ending in other seasons or the first preparation.
  • Training preparations spanning more than 20 weeks were linked with lower odds of MSI when juxtaposed with those shorter than 20 weeks.
  • Horses running more races in a preparation showed a reduced likelihood of MSI, but the risk of MSI began to level out and increased again at excessively long cumulative racing distances.
  • The study found considerable variation in MSI risk among trainers, indicating the impact of management and training methods on MSI risk.

Conclusion

  • The study unveiled both intrinsic (like age of the horse) and extrinsic risk factors (like the proportion of trials in all starts, season of training ending, length of training preparation, cumulative racing distance, and the trainer) for MSI in Thoroughbred racehorses in New Zealand.
  • The risk of MSI initially decreased but then increased as cumulative racing distance increased.
  • The significant variation between trainers pointed out the substantial influence of management and training methods on MSI risk.

Cite This Article

APA
Perkins NR, Reid SW, Morris RS. (2005). Risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries of the lower limbs in Thoroughbred racehorses in New Zealand. N Z Vet J, 53(3), 171-183. https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2005.36502

Publication

New Zealand veterinary journal
ISSN: 0048-0169
NlmUniqueID: 0021406
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 53
Issue: 3
Pages: 171-183

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

      • Animals
      • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
      • Athletic Injuries / veterinary
      • Case-Control Studies
      • Female
      • Forelimb / injuries
      • Hindlimb / injuries
      • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
      • Horse Diseases / etiology
      • Horses / injuries
      • Longitudinal Studies
      • Male
      • Musculoskeletal System / injuries
      • New Zealand / epidemiology
      • Physical Conditioning, Animal
      • Risk Factors
      • Surveys and Questionnaires

      Citations

      This article has been cited 20 times.
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