Ontario Racehorse Death Registry, 2003-2015: Descriptive analysis and rates of mortality.
Age Factors
Animal Welfare
Animals
Autopsy
/ statistics & numerical data
Breeding
Cause of Death
Cohort Studies
Death, Sudden
/ veterinary
Demography
Female
Horse Diseases
/ mortality
Horses
Male
Musculoskeletal System
/ injuries
Ontario
/ epidemiology
Registries
/ standards
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Running
Sex Factors
Quarter horse
Standardbred
Thoroughbred
exercise
horse
mortality
racehorse
Journal
Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
Titre abrégé: Equine Vet J
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 0173320
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Jan 2019
Jan 2019
Historique:
received:
13
09
2017
accepted:
31
03
2018
pubmed:
20
4
2018
medline:
26
4
2019
entrez:
20
4
2018
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The Province of Ontario maintains a registry of racehorse deaths occurring within 60 days of a race or trial entry that provides insight into mortality rates and costs of competition. To characterise and quantify mortality and identify breed differences. Retrospective annualised cohort study. The Ontario Death Registry for 2003-2015, containing 1713 cases, was audited and information on the relationship between death and official work added. Race and trial data from industry performance databases were used to determine mortality rates according to breed, year, age, sex and circumstances of death. Breed differences in mortality rate and individual risk were found. Thoroughbreds (Tb) had the greatest exercise-associated mortality (EAM) rate and risk by all measures (2.27 deaths/1000 race starts, 0.95-1.0% annual individual risk), followed by Quarter horses (Qh, 1.49, 0.60-0.69%). Rate and risk were lowest for Standardbreds (Sb, 0.28, 0.23-0.24%). Nonexercise annual individual risk was highest for the Sb (0.45%, vs. Tb 0.33%, and Qh 0.32%). Pattern and type of EAM mirrored the characteristics of competitive activity in each industry, with high Tb and Qh mortality being associated with exercise and involving musculoskeletal injuries, dying suddenly and accidents. Low Sb EAM reflected the more extensive nature of training preparation and racing for this breed. Available data provided no information on morbidity, mortality beyond the 60-day horizon or for horses not racing. Numbers for the Qh were low. Race-intensity exercise is clearly hazardous for horses, with hazards varying widely between breeds and showing parallels with industry cultural and management norms. Breed differences provide insights concerning strategies that could reduce mortality, while improving welfare and reducing costs of participation. For all breeds, musculoskeletal injury was the major contributing cause of mortality.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
The Province of Ontario maintains a registry of racehorse deaths occurring within 60 days of a race or trial entry that provides insight into mortality rates and costs of competition.
OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVE
To characterise and quantify mortality and identify breed differences.
STUDY DESIGN
METHODS
Retrospective annualised cohort study.
METHODS
METHODS
The Ontario Death Registry for 2003-2015, containing 1713 cases, was audited and information on the relationship between death and official work added. Race and trial data from industry performance databases were used to determine mortality rates according to breed, year, age, sex and circumstances of death.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Breed differences in mortality rate and individual risk were found. Thoroughbreds (Tb) had the greatest exercise-associated mortality (EAM) rate and risk by all measures (2.27 deaths/1000 race starts, 0.95-1.0% annual individual risk), followed by Quarter horses (Qh, 1.49, 0.60-0.69%). Rate and risk were lowest for Standardbreds (Sb, 0.28, 0.23-0.24%). Nonexercise annual individual risk was highest for the Sb (0.45%, vs. Tb 0.33%, and Qh 0.32%). Pattern and type of EAM mirrored the characteristics of competitive activity in each industry, with high Tb and Qh mortality being associated with exercise and involving musculoskeletal injuries, dying suddenly and accidents. Low Sb EAM reflected the more extensive nature of training preparation and racing for this breed.
MAIN LIMITATIONS
CONCLUSIONS
Available data provided no information on morbidity, mortality beyond the 60-day horizon or for horses not racing. Numbers for the Qh were low.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
Race-intensity exercise is clearly hazardous for horses, with hazards varying widely between breeds and showing parallels with industry cultural and management norms. Breed differences provide insights concerning strategies that could reduce mortality, while improving welfare and reducing costs of participation. For all breeds, musculoskeletal injury was the major contributing cause of mortality.
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
64-76Subventions
Organisme : Equine Guelph
Informations de copyright
© 2018 EVJ Ltd.