Equine Veterinary Journal 

About: Equine Veterinary Journal is an academic journal published by Wiley-Blackwell. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Population & Lameness. It has an ISSN identifier of 0425-1644. Over the lifetime, 7204 publications have been published receiving 199042 citations. The journal is also known as: EVJ.

Body condition scoring and weight estimation of horses.

Abstract: Three hundred and seventy two horses of varying breeds, height and fatness were weighed and measured for height at the withers. They were assessed for condition score by adaptation of a previously published method. The heart girth and length of 281 of the horses were also measured. Weight of horses was highly correlated (P less than 0.001) with height (r2 = 0.62), condition score (r2 = 0.22) and girth2 x length (r2 = 0.90). Nomograms were constructed to predict weight from height and condition score, and girth and length measurements. Weight can also be accurately estimated from the formula: (formula, see text) The average value of 'Y' in this experiment was 11900 and this estimated weight with more accuracy than some previously published values of 'Y'. Racing Thoroughbred horses were found to be significantly lighter than non-racing Thoroughbreds of the same height and condition score. The method of assessment of condition score was shown to be repeatable between different operators with varying degrees of experience.

An assessment of wastage in thoroughbred racing from conception to 4 years of age

Abstract: Summary This paper describes a collaborative project, conducted under the auspices of the British Equine Veterinary Association's survey section and financed by the Horserace Betting Levy Board, with the objective of collecting relevant data from breeding and racing statistics and evaluating losses (areas of wastage) that occur in the Thoroughbred racing industry. The investigation, which was carried out between 1977 and 1980, was divided into 2 parts. In Phase 1 the available statistics showed that considerable wastage existed from the time of covering to the appearance of the progeny on the flat, but that losses were closely consistent each year. Of the active mares in the General Stud Book for the seasons 1973 to 1979, 11.8 per cent were eliminated because no covering return was received and a further 10.1 per cent were either not covered, were covered by halfbreds or foaled abroad. The remaining mares, which were confirmed to have been covered (ie, applicable covered returned mares) were used to base the estimates of wastage. These were failure to conceive, 22.5 per cent, aborted or had a non-surviving foal, 10.1 per cent, live progeny not named, 13.9 per cent, named animals not trained (2 to 4) years), 20.1 per cent and trained animals that did not run at 2 to 4 years, 6.2 per cent. This gave an overall figure for wastage of 72.8 per cent. Data on the numbers of outings as well as the numbers of animals imported and exported are quoted. An estimate of the cost of these losses was made under the following categories: lost stallion fees, keep of mares, keep of unnamed foals and keep of named animals that did not run. The cumulative losses for the 1974 season and its progeny was calculated to be at least £15.2 million. Phase 2 examined more specifically some of the areas of wastage caused by breeding losses and the reasons for an unsatisfactory number of racing appearances. The most substantial reason for not competing or competing less than the average number of times was horses showing little or no ability to race. In a survey of 762 horses, 26.5 per cent did not race up to the age of 4 years; of these just over one third were being kept as “store” animals for National Hunt racing. The final part of the survey examined the veterinary reasons for wastage. In 314 horses in Newmarket, lameness was the most significant factor. There was an incidence of lameness of 53 per cent at some periods during the season and in 20 per cent of cases the lameness was sufficient to prevent racing afterwards. Resume Cet article produit les resultats d'une etude menee sous les auspices de la commission d'enquete de la BEVA, etude financee par le British Horserace Betting Levy Board. L'objectif de cette etude etait de reunir des informations utilisables a partir des statistiques des courses et de l'elevage afin d'evaluer les pertes et les points faibles de l'industrie des courses de pur sang. Les recherches ont ete conduites entre 1977 et 1980. Les resultats sont exposes en deux parties. Dans la premiere, les statistiques disponibles ont montre qu'un deficit considerable se produit entre la periode de monte et l'apparition de la production sur l'hippodrome; les pertes sont du meme ordre chaque annee. 11.8% des poulinieres repertoriees au General Stud Book ont eteecartees de l‘etude parce qu'aucun renseignement sur la monte n'a ete renvoye. En outre 10% des poulinieres furent ou bien non saillies ou bien saillies par des demi sang, d'autres mettant bas a l’etranger. On a donc retenu pour servir de base a l'estimation le reliquat, c'est-a-dire celles des poulinieres dont les resultats de saillie furent officiellement confirmes (renseignements effectivement “retournes”). Les resultats furent les suivants: — vides (n'ayant pas concu): 22.5% — avortees ou ayant eu un produit qui n'a pas vecu: 10% — production vivante non nommee: 13.9% (anonymes) — animaux nommes qui n'ont pas etea l'entrainement entre deux et quatre ans: 20.1% — animaux entraines qui n'ont pas couru entre 2 et 4 ans: 6.2% Au total le deficit s'eleve a 72.8% Les donnees se rapportant au nombre d'animaux importes et exportes sont fournies. Une estimation du montant des pertes ainsi constatees a ete faite sous les rubriques suivantes: pertes sur les couts de saillie — pertes sur l'entretien des juments — pertes sur l'entretien des poulains anonymes — pertes sur l'entretien des chevaux qui n'ont pas couru. Cumulees, les pertes pour la saison 1974 et pour ceux des animaux nes cette annee lâ ont ete estimes a plus de 15.2 millions de livres sterling. Dans la seconde partie, on examine plus particulierement quelques unes des sources de deficit et les raisons du nombre insuffisant des sorties en course. La raison la plus importante pour ne pas courir ou pour courir moins souvent que la moyen ne est l'inaptitude pure et simple a la competition. Pour 762 chevaux on constate que 26.5% d'entre eux n'ont pu courir avant l‘âge de 4 ans. Parmi ceux-ci un peu plus d'un tiers fut conserve pour les programmes de courses a obstacles. La derniere partie de cette enquete etudie les raisons “veterinaires” du deficit. A Newmarket, pour 314 chevaux on a trouve que la boiterie etait le facteur le plus important. A un certain moment, on a constate 53% de boiteries durant la saison et dans 20% des cas les boiteries ont empeche le retour a la competition. Zusammenfassung Dieser Beitrag beschreibt eine gemeinsame Untersuchung, die von der BEVA uberwacht und vom Horserace Betting Levy Board finanziert worden ist. Es wurde die Absicht verfolgt, relevante Angaben aus Zucht- und Rennstatistiken zu sammeln und die Verluste, die im Vollblut-Rennbetrieb sich einstellen, auszuwerten. Die Untersuchung erstreckte sich uber die Jahre 1977 bis 1980 und wurde in zwei Teilen vorgenommen. Die zuganglichen Statistiken zeigten, dass in Phase 1 ein erheblicher Verschleiss sich bemerkbar macht zwischen der Deckzeit und dem Erscheinen des Nachwuchses in Flachrennen. Diese Verluste veranderten sich von Jahr zu Jahr kaum. Von den “aktiven” Stuten im General Stud Book wurden zwischen 1973 und 1979 11.8 Prozent eliminiert, weil das Deckergebnis nicht gemeldet wurde und weitere 10.1% wurden entweder nicht belegt oder durch Warmbluthengste gedeckt, oder sie fohlten ins Ausland ab. Die verbleibenden Stuten (Stuten mit bekannten Deckangaben und Abfohler-gebnissen) dienten zu einer Verschleissschatzung: Keine Konzeption 22.5% Abort oder nichtuberlebendes Fohlen 10.1% lebendes, namenloses Fohlen 13.9% Tiere mit Namen, aber nicht im Training zwischen 2 bis 4 Jahren 20.1% Im Training, aber nicht im Rennen zwischen 2 bis 4 Jahren 6.2% Das ergibt eine Verschleissrate von 72.8%. Es werden auch Angaben gemacht uber die Anzahl der bestrittenen Rennen und uber die Zahl importierter, beziehungsweise exportierter Pferde. Eine Schatzung der durch diesen Verschleiss verursachten Kosten wurde in den folgenden Kategorien angestellt: verlorene Sprunggelder; Kosten der Stutenhaltung; Kosten der Haltung namenloser Fohlen; Haltungskosten fur nicht in Rennen eingesetzte Pferde. Die kumulierten Verluste fur die Decksaison 1974 und fur die Produktion aus dieser Saison wurden auf mindestens 15.2 Mio Pfund geschatzt. In Phase 2 der Untersuchung wurden bestimmte Aspekte dieser Zuchtverluste spezifischer ausgewertet und die Grunde fur die unbefriedigende Anzahl bestrittener Rennen erforscht. Der wichtigste Grund dafur, dass viele Pferde uberhaupt nie auf die Rennbahn kommen oder nur an einer unterdurch-schnittlichen Anzahl von Rennen teilnehmen, besteht in einer fehlenden oder ungenugenden Eignung als Rennpferd. Von 762 Pferden bestritten 26.5% bis zu einem Alter von 4 Jahren uberhaupt keine Rennen; davon wurde nur etwas mehr als ein Drittel fur den Einsatz in Hindernisrennen “aufgespart”. Im letzten Teil der Untersuchung wurden die tierarztlichen Grunde fur die Verluste unter die Lupe genommen. Bei 314 Pferden in Newmarket wurde Lahmheit als weit wichtigster Grund festgestellt. Wahrend der Rennsaison ergaben sich Perioden mit einer Lahmheitsfrequenz von 53%, wobei 20% der lahmen Pferde auch spater nicht mehr in Rennen eingesetzt werden konnten.

Racehorse injuries, clinical problems and fatalities recorded on British racecourses from flat racing and National Hunt racing during 1996, 1997 and 1998

Abstract: For improvements to the safety and welfare of racehorses to be possible, it is essential to have access to basic descriptive information about the veterinary incidents encountered during horseracing. A 3 year surveillance study (1996-1998) was conducted by The Jockey Club into racing injuries, other postrace clinical problems and fatalities from all 59 British racecourses (mainland Britain only) to identify risk factors. During the survey there were 222,993 racing starts: 106,897 starts in flat races on turf (47.9%), 26,519 starts in flat races on all-weather surfaces (11.9%), 30,932 starts in chases on turf (13.9%), 51,786 starts in hurdle races on turf (23.2%) and 6,859 starts in National Hunt flat races (3.1%). Information was recorded about age of horses, racing surfaces and clinical events observed or attended by a veterinary team of 2 clinicians and one veterinary surgeon employed by the racing authority. Of the 2358 clinical events reported (1.05% of all starts), 1937 involved the musculoskeletal system and 421 involved other body systems. Six hundred and fifty-seven incidents (0.29% of starts) resulted in death or euthanasia. Eighty-one percent of limb injury reports involved forelimbs and 46% involved flexor tendons/suspensory ligaments. Nonlimb problems included epistaxis (0.83/1000 starts), 'exhausted horse syndrome' (0.47/1000 starts) and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (0.20/1000 starts). Incidents including fatalities per 1000 starts were 24.7 from chases, 19.45 from hurdle races, 8.46 from National Hunt flat races and 3.97 from flat races. The overall tendon injury was higher in chases than in hurdle races, even though age-specific rates of tendon injury were higher in hurdle races than in chases. The risk of injuries per start increased significantly with age, while softer racing surfaces were associated with fewer fatalities and injuries than firmer surfaces. The survey described in this paper has provided an up-to-date description of the fatal and non-fatal horseracing incidents under conditions on mainland Britain, enabling progress to be made towards improving the safety and welfare of racehorses.