The significance of routine radiographic findings with respect to subsequent racing performance and longevity in standardbred trotters.
Abstract: A retrospective cohort study was made of the racing performance of trotters which had been subjected routinely to radiography before they started training and racing. Sixty-one per cent (148) of the 243 horses, foaled in 3 consecutive years, had one or more abnormal findings categorised into 5 relevant groups based on radiography, of which osteochondrosis (OCD) was the most specific diagnosis. Parameters used to reflect racing performance were: proportion of horses starting in races, number of starts per year, earnings per year, earnings per start and racing longevity. No significant association between the presence or type of radiological abnormalities and the subsequent performance and longevity could be found. Horses with multiple lesions, however, had a tendency to lower earnings and poorer survival than horses with single lesions.
Publication Date: 1997-01-01 PubMed ID: 9031865DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1997.tb01637.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Anatomy
- Athletic Performance
- Bones
- Clinical Findings
- Diagnosis
- Diagnostic Technique
- Disease Diagnosis
- Epidemiology
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Horse Racing
- Horse Training
- Musculoskeletal System
- Osteochondrosis
- Performance Horses
- Radiology
- Retrospective Study
- Standardbred Horses
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
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 investigated the link between routine radiographic findings and the future racing performance and longevity of standardbred trotters. The results indicate no significant relation between radiological abnormalities and performance parameters, however, horses with multiple lesions showed a tendency towards lower earnings and decreased survival rates.
Study Design and Methodology
- The researchers carried out a retrospective cohort study of the racing performance of trotters that had been routinely subjected to radiography before they started training and racing. This was done to see if any abnormalities in the radiographs could predict the future performance of these horses.
- The sample for the study consisted of 243 horses born over three consecutive years.
Findings On Radiographic Examination
- Out of the 243 horses, 148, which constitutes 61%, had one or more abnormal findings detected on the radiographs.
- The findings were categorised into five relevant groups and osteochondrosis (OCD), a joint disorder, was the most specific diagnosis among the horses.
Parameters Used to Reflect Racing Performance
- The parameters used to assess the racing performance of trotters included: the proportion of horses starting in races, the number of starts per year, earnings per year, earnings per start, and racing longevity.
Performance in Relation to Radiological Abnormalities
- Upon analysis of the performance parameters, the researchers found no significant association between the presence or type of radiological abnormalities and the subsequent performance and longevity of the horses.
- However, horses with multiple abnormalities, or lesions, tended to earn less and had a shorter racing lifespan than those with single lesions. This suggests that the number of lesions might have a slight impact on the horse’s racing career, although further research would be necessary to support this hypothesis.
Cite This Article
APA
Jørgensen HS, Proschowsky H, Falk-Rønne J, Willeberg P, Hesselholt M.
(1997).
The significance of routine radiographic findings with respect to subsequent racing performance and longevity in standardbred trotters.
Equine Vet J, 29(1), 55-59.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1997.tb01637.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Studies, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Arthrography / veterinary
- Carpus, Animal / diagnostic imaging
- Carpus, Animal / pathology
- Cohort Studies
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses / physiology
- Joints / pathology
- Longevity / physiology
- Male
- Osteochondritis / diagnostic imaging
- Osteochondritis / physiopathology
- Osteochondritis / veterinary
- Physical Endurance / physiology
- Regression Analysis
- Retrospective Studies
- Running / physiology
- Sports
- Tarsus, Animal / diagnostic imaging
- Tarsus, Animal / pathology
- Tibia / diagnostic imaging
- Tibia / pathology
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Maldonado MD, Parkinson SD, Story MR, Haussler KK. The Effect of Chiropractic Treatment on Limb Lameness and Concurrent Axial Skeleton Pain and Dysfunction in Horses.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Oct 19;12(20).
- McCoy AM, Ralston SL, McCue ME. Short- and long-term racing performance of Standardbred pacers and trotters after early surgical intervention for tarsal osteochondrosis.. Equine Vet J 2015 Jul;47(4):438-44.
- Vos NJ. Incidence of osteochondrosis (dissecans) in Dutch warmblood horses presented for pre-purchase examination.. Ir Vet J 2008 Jan 1;61(1):33-7.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
