Sudden death in training and racing Thoroughbred horses.
Abstract: We reviewed case records, necropsy reports, and histologic sections from 25 Thoroughbred racehorses that died suddenly at 3 Chicago racetracks. These were young horses ranging in age from 2 to 5 years. There were more females (n = 16) than males (n = 9), and the incidence of death increased slightly in the spring and summer. Twenty-one of the 25 horses died while racing or training. Only 8 of the 25 horses (32%) had lesions sufficient to account for the death. In 6 of those 8 cases, death was caused by massive thoracic or abdominal hemorrhage. The site or nature of the vascular defect in these cases could not be determined. One horse died of severe preexisting pulmonary disease, and one died of encephalitis and cardiac papillary muscle fibrosis. The cause of death was undetermined in 17 horses (68%). Nearly all horses had pulmonary edema, congestion, and/or hemorrhage. We postulate that these unexplained deaths were a result of exercise-induced acute cardiovascular failure.
Publication Date: 1985-12-15 PubMed ID: 4086352
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article discusses a study conducted on 25 Thoroughbred racehorses that died suddenly while racing or training. The majority of these deaths were due to unknown causes, with hypotheses suggesting exercise-induced acute cardiovascular failure.
Objective of the Study
- The paper reviewed cases of sudden death in Thoroughbred racehorses at 3 Chicago racetracks, aiming to understand the causes behind these sudden deaths.
Findings of the Study
- The researchers reviewed cases of 25 Thoroughbred racehorses that died, ranging in age from 2 to 5 years. It was observed that more females died as compared to males and the incidence of death increased slightly during spring and summer seasons.
- Out of the reviewed cases, 21 horses died while either racing or training.
- Upon looking at the post-mortem reports, it was observed that only 8 of the horses (32%) had physical lesions that could explain their sudden death.
- In 6 out of these 8 horses, the cause of death was attributed to massive thoracic or abdominal haemorrhage. However, the location or nature of the vascular defect leading to these haemorrhages could not be established.
- Other causes of death included severe preexisting pulmonary disease and encephalitis with cardiac papillary muscle fibrosis, noted in one horse each.
- In 17 out of the 25 cases, which constitutes 68%, the cause of death remained undetermined. Pulmonary edema, congestion, and/or haemorrhage were common but were not determined as causes of death.
Conclusion of the Study
- Deaths in most cases remained unexplained. The researchers hypothesized that unexplained deaths could be due to exercise-induced acute cardiovascular failure.
Significance of Research
- The research is significant as it addresses the concern of rising sudden death rates among Thoroughbred racehorses, which could have far-reaching implications in the field of equine healthcare and sports policy.
- The research can help in formulating preventive strategies and treatments for health conditions leading to sudden death in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Gelberg HB, Zachary JF, Everitt JI, Jensen RC, Smetzer DL.
(1985).
Sudden death in training and racing Thoroughbred horses.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 187(12), 1354-1356.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Death, Sudden / etiology
- Death, Sudden / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses
- Male
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / adverse effects
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Nath L, Stent A, Elliott A, La Gerche A, Franklin S. Risk Factors for Exercise-Associated Sudden Cardiac Death in Thoroughbred Racehorses.. Animals (Basel) 2022 May 18;12(10).
- Hellings IR, Skjerve E, Karlstam E, Valheim M, Ihler CF, Fintl C. Racing-associated fatalities in Norwegian and Swedish harness racehorses: Incidence rates, risk factors, and principal postmortem findings.. J Vet Intern Med 2022 Mar;36(2):778-786.
- Welch-Huston B, Durward-Akhurst S, Norton E, Ellingson L, Rendahl A, McCue M. Comparison between smartphone electrocardiography and standard three-lead base apex electrocardiography in healthy horses.. Vet Rec 2020 Oct 31;187(9):e70.
- Vera L, Campos Arias D, Muylle S, Stergiopulos N, Segers P, van Loon G. A 1D computer model of the arterial circulation in horses: An important resource for studying global interactions between heart and vessels under normal and pathological conditions.. PLoS One 2019;14(8):e0221425.
- Vos Nj. Conservative treatment of a comminuted cervical fracture in a racehorse.. Ir Vet J 2008 Apr 1;61(4):244-7.
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