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Effects of Racing Surface and Turn Radius on Fatal Limb Fractures in Thoroughbred Racehorses

Author

Listed:
  • Michael Peterson

    (Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering and UK Ag Equine Programs, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA)

  • Wayne Sanderson

    (Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering and UK Ag Equine Programs, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA)

  • Nurlan Kussainov

    (Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering and UK Ag Equine Programs, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA)

  • Sarah Jane Hobbs

    (Centre for Applied Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire PR1 2HE, UK)

  • Patti Miles

    (Maine Business School, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA)

  • Mary C. Scollay

    (Racing Medication and Testing Consortium, Lexington, KY 40507, USA)

  • Hilary M. Clayton

    (Sport Horse Science, Mason, MI 48854, USA)

Abstract

North American Thoroughbred racing is conducted on three types of surfaces—dirt, turf, and synthetic. The tracks are oval, and races are run counterclockwise. The loading on right and left limbs is expected to differ as a function of turn radius, banking, surface, and gait asymmetry. Hind limbs and forelimbs also have different functions related to propulsion and turning, respectively. This study uses the Equine Injury Database for race starts from 1 January 2009 through 31 December 2014, to compare injury rates across participating North American racetracks. The data are limited to catastrophic injuries in which horses died or were euthanized due to a fracture within 72 h of the start of the race. Overall injury rates were lower on turf and synthetic surfaces and the pattern of limb injuries in left vs. right and fore vs. hind limbs were different. Regardless of surface, forelimbs were more likely to fracture. Dirt surfaces showed higher rates of forelimb injuries compared to other surfaces, hind limbs were more likely to experience a fatal fracture on turf than on dirt. The left fore and right hind limbs were more likely to experience a fatal fracture but only on dirt surfaces.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Peterson & Wayne Sanderson & Nurlan Kussainov & Sarah Jane Hobbs & Patti Miles & Mary C. Scollay & Hilary M. Clayton, 2021. "Effects of Racing Surface and Turn Radius on Fatal Limb Fractures in Thoroughbred Racehorses," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:2:p:539-:d:476815
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. N. Crevier-Denoix & F. Munoz-Nates & M. Camus & B. Ravary-Plumioen & J.M. Denoix & P. Pourcelot & H. Chateau, 2017. "Comparison of peak vertical force and vertical impulse in the inside and outside hind limbs in horses circling on a soft surface, at trot and canter," Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(S1), pages 51-52, October.
    2. N. Crevier-Denoix & F. Munoz-Nates & M. Camus & B. Ravary-Plumioen & J.M. Denoix & P. Pourcelot & H. Chateau, 2017. "Comparison of peak vertical force and vertical impulse in the inside and outside hind limbs in horses circling on a soft surface, at trot and canter," Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(S1), pages 51-52, October.
    3. N. Crevier-Denoix & M. Camus & S. Falala & B. Ravary-Plumioen & M. Pauchard & J. Martino & L. Desquilbet & H. Chateau & P. Pourcelot, 2014. "3D measurement of the displacement of the forelimb hoof during stance in three horses circling at the canter on a competition surface," Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(S1), pages 142-143, August.
    4. Paulette Cully & Brian Nielsen & Bryony Lancaster & Jessica Martin & Paul McGreevy, 2018. "The laterality of the gallop gait in Thoroughbred racehorses," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(6), pages 1-16, June.
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