Risk factors for race-day fatality in flat racing Thoroughbreds in Great Britain (2000 to 2013)

A key focus of the racing industry is to reduce the number of race-day events where horses die suddenly or are euthanased due to catastrophic injury. The objective of this study was therefore to determine risk factors for race-day fatalities in Thoroughbred racehorses, using a cohort of all horses participating in flat racing in Great Britain between 2000 and 2013. Horse-, race- and course-level data were collected and combined with all race-day fatalities, recorded by racecourse veterinarians in a central database. Associations between exposure variables and fatality were assessed using logistic regression analyses for (1) all starts in the dataset and (2) starts made on turf surfaces only. There were 806,764 starts in total, of which 548,571 were on turf surfaces. A total of 610 fatalities were recorded; 377 (61.8%) on turf. In both regression models, increased firmness of the going, increasing racing distance, increasing average horse performance, first year of racing and wearing eye cover for the first time all increased the odds of fatality. Generally, the odds of fatality also increased with increasing horse age whereas increasing number of previous starts reduced fatality odds. In the ‘all starts’ model, horses racing in an auction race were at 1.46 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06–2.01) times the odds of fatality compared with horses not racing in this race type. In the turf starts model, horses racing in Group 1 races were at 3.19 (95% CI 1.71–5.93) times the odds of fatality compared with horses not racing in this race type. Identification of novel risk factors including wearing eye cover and race type will help to inform strategies to further reduce the rate of fatality in flat racing horses, enhancing horse and jockey welfare and safety

Testing and Refining the Ethical Framework for the Use of Horses in Sport

In 2021, in response to an acknowledged need for universal, consistent ethics to guide decision making in the horse sport sector, Campbell published a theoretical ethical framework for the use of horses in competitive sport. The research reported here tested the applied usefulness of that theoretical ethical framework through stakeholder engagement in a three-round modified Delphi study and refined it to develop a practical decision-making tool which can be applied consistently across multiple equestrian disciplines. Stakeholders from a broad range of equestrian competitive disciplines participated in the research. Participants were required to apply the ethical framework to a pre-determined ethical dilemma, individually (Rounds 1 and 2) and within a group (Round 3), and at the end of each round to complete a questionnaire designed to gauge opinion and user experience. At the completion of each round of testing, the theoretical framework was refined based on stakeholder feedback. Results showed that participants perceived useability and application of the framework to generally increase with each round. Qualitative content analysis identified key concepts, including cognition (e.g., broadens/deepens thinking) and application (e.g., considers multiple angles from a variety of information sources, needs to be a short/simple process). Results suggested that the refined framework is beneficial for group decision making across a wide variety of ethical issues and equestrian competitive disciplines. The framework thus has the potential to improve equine welfare through facilitating consistent ethical decision making in which the interests of the horse are prioritized

Mixed-Effects Modelling of the Risk Factors Associated with Multiple Pregnancies in Thoroughbred Mares

Multiple pregnancies (MPs) are commonly diagnosed during breeding management of mares. Whilst some studies have reported on factors associated with the risk of MPs, few have utilised multivariable data analysis to control for confounding variables. A prospective cohort study of Thoroughbred broodmares was conducted with information collected on 27 factors. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to determine risk factors for MPs. Mare, stallion, stud, and veterinarian were evaluated as random effects. The prevalence of MPs in 1754 mares and 2245 pregnancies was 16.06% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 14.54, 17.58). Multiple ovulations (OR = 15.57, 95% CI = 11.88, 20.53) and treatment with cloprostenol (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.015, 1.80) were associated with increased odds of MPs following multivariable analysis. Mares that foaled at the start of the breeding season (OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.47, 0.94), conceived at the second or more oestrus cycles (OR = 0.60, 95% CI= 0.43, 0.84), or identified with a uterine cyst (OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.40, 0.97) were at reduced odds of conceiving MPs. Mare, stallion, stud, and veterinarian were not associated with MPs. These findings provide possible explanations as to why the prevalence of MPs but not MOs have increased over the last decade

Median (interquartile range) of the continuous variables included in the multivariable logistic regression models for all starts, and turf only starts, for Thoroughbreds racing in Great Britain, 2000 to 2013.

<p>Median (interquartile range) of the continuous variables included in the multivariable logistic regression models for all starts, and turf only starts, for Thoroughbreds racing in Great Britain, 2000 to 2013.</p

Multivariable logistic regression results of risk factors for race-day fatality in British flat racing Thoroughbreds (2000 to 2013), including a random effect for trainer (P = 0.01).

<p>Multivariable logistic regression results of risk factors for race-day fatality in British flat racing Thoroughbreds (2000 to 2013), including a random effect for trainer (P = 0.01).</p

All cause fatality stratified by musculoskeletal injury (MSI) or non-musculoskeletal injury (non-MSI) and racecourse surface.

<p>All cause fatality stratified by musculoskeletal injury (MSI) or non-musculoskeletal injury (non-MSI) and racecourse surface.</p

Multivariable logistic regression results of risk factors for race-day fatality on turf racecourses in British flat racing Thoroughbreds (2000 to 2013), including a random effect for trainer (P = 0.03).

<p>Multivariable logistic regression results of risk factors for race-day fatality on turf racecourses in British flat racing Thoroughbreds (2000 to 2013), including a random effect for trainer (P = 0.03).</p