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Equine veterinary journal2005; 37(5); 442-448; doi: 10.2746/042516405774480085

Training-related factors associated with dorsometacarpal disease in young Thoroughbred racehorses in the UK.

Abstract: Dorsometacarpal disease (DMD) is common in young Thoroughbred (TB) racehorses, often interfering with their training programme. No reports exist on incidence rate or associated risk factors in the UK. Objective: To estimate the incidence rate of DMD in TB horses in training for flat racing in the UK and identify associated risk factors, particularly in relation to training regimens. Methods: Data were drawn from a large prospective study in which TB horses in 13 training yards were monitored for a period of up to 2 years, recording daily training information and details of musculoskeletal injury, including DMD. The incidence of DMD was calculated and survival analysis performed to determine features of the training regimen related to the risk of disease. Results: A total of 335 horses provided 4235 months at risk of DMD. Seventy-nine first episodes were recorded, resulting in an incidence rate of 1.87/100 horse months (95% confidence interval 1.50-2.33). Increasing exercise distances at canter and high speed in short periods (up to 1 month) were associated with an increasing risk of DMD. However, increasing cumulative exercise distances since entering training were associated with a decreasing risk of the disease. Conclusions: The risk of DMD in young TBs decreases with accumulation of distances exercised at canter and high speed; this reflects the adaptive response of the third metacarpal bone to the loads placed upon it. However, increasing exercise distances in short periods (up to 1 month) increases the risk of DMD, probably as a consequence of microdamage and its associated remodelling response, and should therefore be avoided. Conclusions: Training regimens for young TBs can be adjusted to prevent the occurrence of DMD. Early but gradual introduction of small amounts of high-speed exercise may be beneficial. Canter exercise should be kept minimal on high-speed work days and large amounts of both cantering and high-speed work per week, 2 weeks or per month should be avoided, particularly during the early stages of training, in order to minimise the risk of DMD.
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Publication Date: 2005-09-17 PubMed ID: 16163947DOI: 10.2746/042516405774480085Google 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 examines the occurrence rates and contributing factors of dorsometacarpal disease (DMD) in Thoroughbred racehorses in the UK and highlights the link between the disease and the horses’ training regimens.

Objective and Methods

  • The main objective of the research was to estimate DMD’s incidence rate among Thoroughbred horses undergoing training for flat racing in the UK and discover any associated risk factors, particularly those linked to their training schedules.
  • For this study, data was gathered from a vast prospective study which monitored 13 training yards where Thoroughbred horses were kept. The study was conducted over a period of two years.
  • In this period, daily training information was recorded along with details of any musculoskeletal injuries, including DMD.

Results and Observations

  • During the surveillance period, 335 horses provided a cumulative 4235 months at risk of DMD.
  • Throughout this period, 79 first episodes of DMD were recorded, hence leading to an incidence rate of 1.87/100 horse months.
  • Surprisingly, a pattern emerged from the data, showing an increasing risk of DMD with single short bursts of increasing exercise distances at higher speeds (up to 1 month).
  • However, contradictorily, the study also found that with the gradual increase in cumulative exercise distances from the start of their training, horses were found to have a decreasing risk of contracting DMD.

Conclusions

  • These results suggest that the risk of contracting DMD in young Thoroughbreds decreases with a gradual accumulation of distances exercised at canter and high speed, indicating that the third metacarpal bone adapts to the loads put upon it.
  • The study also indicates that the risk of DMD is increased with hasty increasing exercise distances in short periods – possibly due to microdamage and a related remodelling response. Therefore, this practice is advised to be avoided.
  • The researchers concluded that to avoid DMD, training regimens for young Thoroughbreds could be adjusted by incorporating an early and gradual introduction of small amounts of high-speed exercises.
  • Additionally, on high-speed work days, canter exercise should be kept minimal, and large amounts of both cantering and high-speed work per week or per month should be avoided, especially in the early training stages.

Cite This Article

APA
Verheyen KL, Henley WE, Price JS, Wood JL. (2005). Training-related factors associated with dorsometacarpal disease in young Thoroughbred racehorses in the UK. Equine Vet J, 37(5), 442-448. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516405774480085

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 37
Issue: 5
Pages: 442-448

Researcher Affiliations

Verheyen, K L P
  • Epidemiology Unit, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Suffolk CB8 7UU, UK.
Henley, W E
    Price, J S
      Wood, J L N

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Breeding
        • Female
        • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
        • Horse Diseases / etiology
        • Horse Diseases / prevention & control
        • Horses
        • Incidence
        • Joint Diseases / epidemiology
        • Joint Diseases / etiology
        • Joint Diseases / prevention & control
        • Joint Diseases / veterinary
        • Lameness, Animal / epidemiology
        • Lameness, Animal / etiology
        • Lameness, Animal / prevention & control
        • Male
        • Metacarpus / injuries
        • Physical Conditioning, Animal / adverse effects
        • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
        • Proportional Hazards Models
        • Prospective Studies
        • Risk Factors
        • Time Factors
        • United Kingdom / epidemiology

        Citations

        This article has been cited 13 times.
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          doi: 10.3390/ani11040928pubmed: 33805873google scholar: lookup
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        8. Crawford KL, Ahern BJ, Perkins NR, Phillips CJC, Finnane A. The Effect of Combined Training and Racing High-Speed Exercise History on Musculoskeletal Injuries in Thoroughbred Racehorses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Current Literature. Animals (Basel) 2020 Nov 11;10(11).
          doi: 10.3390/ani10112091pubmed: 33187122google scholar: lookup
        9. Crawford KL, Finnane A, Greer RM, Phillips CJC, Woldeyohannes SM, Perkins NR, Ahern BJ. Appraising the Welfare of Thoroughbred Racehorses in Training in Queensland, Australia: The Incidence and Type of Musculoskeletal Injuries Vary between Two-Year-Old and Older Thoroughbred Racehorses. Animals (Basel) 2020 Nov 5;10(11).
          doi: 10.3390/ani10112046pubmed: 33167429google scholar: lookup
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          doi: 10.1294/jes.27.81pubmed: 27703403google scholar: lookup
        11. Rogers CW, Bolwell CF, Gee EK. Proactive Management of the Equine Athlete. Animals (Basel) 2012 Dec 19;2(4):640-55.
          doi: 10.3390/ani2040640pubmed: 26487168google scholar: lookup
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          doi: 10.1111/evj.12038pubmed: 23425384google scholar: lookup
        13. Ishimaru M, Okano A, Matsui A, Murase H, Korosue K, Akiyama K, Taya K. Effects of an extended photoperiod on body composition of young Thoroughbreds in training. J Vet Med Sci 2024 Jan 10;86(1):58-65.
          doi: 10.1292/jvms.23-0349pubmed: 37967974google scholar: lookup
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