Relationship between race start characteristics and risk of catastrophic injury in thoroughbreds: 78 cases (1992).
OBJECTIVE
To investigate relationships of several racehorse characteristics and race conditions with risk of a catastrophic musculoskeletal injury (CMI) resulting in euthanasia in Thoroughbreds during racing in California in 1992.


METHODS
Retrospective longitudinal study.


METHODS
Thoroughbreds that incurred CMI during racing and all California race entrants in 1992.


METHODS
Necropsy records were reviewed, and race start information was obtained. Incidence risk of CMI/1,000 race entrants was estimated. Relationships between CMI during racing and race-meet, entrant age and sex, race type and length, and racing surface type and condition were evaluated by use of logistic regression.


RESULTS
Incidence risk of CMI was 1.7/1,000 entrants. A higher risk of CMI was found at 2 fair race-meets, with incidence risks of 4.9 and 5.5/1,000 entrants. Risk of injury in male horses was 1.7 times greater than that in female horses, and influence of age on risk depended on race type. Risk of injury for horses 2 to 5 years old was two times greater for claiming horses than for maiden horses. Race length or racing surface type (dirt vs turf) or condition (fast, muddy, yielding) were not significantly associated with risk of CMI.


CONCLUSIONS
Incidence of CMI was similar among 12 of 14 major and fair race-meets and among various race lengths and racing surface types and conditions, whereas incidence of CMI was influenced by entrant age and sex as well as race type. Investigators should consider controlling for age and sex, race-meet, and race type whenever possible in studies of risk of CMI.
Estberg
L
L
California Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System, USA.
Stover
S M
SM
Gardner
I A
IA
Johnson
B J
BJ
Jack
R A
RA
Case
J T
JT
Ardans
A
A
Read
D H
DH
Anderson
M L
ML
Barr
B C
BC
Daft
B M
BM
Kinde
H
H
Moore
J
J
Stoltz
J
J
Woods
L
L
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D005065:Euthanasia / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses / Q000293:injuries*; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009141:Musculoskeletal System / Q000293:injuries*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013177:Sports / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary