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A DAY AT THE RACES
AUTUMN/WINTER 2011 ISSUE
EQUINE MATTERS
14
The vets arrive in good time before the start
of the first race in case there are any pre-race
problems. For example there can be injuries
en-route to the course, one of the stabled horses
may develop colic, or sometimes there may be
pre-race concerns about soundness. In these
cases the horses trot up usually with two vets
present in order to decide if they are fit to run.
Early arrival of the vet also allows time to
check all equipment and collect a radio
which is the method of communication
between vets, horse ambulance, starter, clerk
of the course and groundsmen.
The race day is now set to
start...
Horses arrive off lorries and are taken into the
stable yard to prepare for racing.
In the saddling area, horses are saddled up
and any food washed out of their mouths to
avoid inhalation during the race. They then
proceed to the parade ring.
The jockeys mount and horses leave the
parade ring to go down to the start. Each
phase from arrival of the horses can involve
accidents which need a vet at hand, or able
to be summoned on the radio.
At the start...
For both the flat racing and the jump racing
a vet has to attend the start of all races. This
is to be able to check any horses that the
jockeys are concerned about during the
canter from the parade ring to the start of the
race. Occasionally a horse may get kicked
by another and require checking to see that it
is still alright to run. The vet informs the starter
who makes the final decision. No horse will
race if it's not fit to.
All the races at Newcastle are accessible
by car. The flat races, that are shorter and
statistically hold less risk of injury to the horses
are followed by one vet together with horse
ambulance, screens and full medical team
for the jockeys. In National Hunt (Jump)
racing we have two veterinary vehicles
accompanying the horses during each race.
On course - Faller
A large percentage of horses that fall are
winded, not injured. The horse is screened and
examined systematically for any injuries; head,
neck, back and each limb one by one and a
neurological assessment. Oxygen is given into
the nostril and time allowed to get their breath
back and they are assisted to their feet behind
the screens. If injured they are walked slowly
back to the unsaddling area as walking helps
to reduce the build up of lactic acid in the
muscles and reduce stiffness.
If the horse is lame the horse ambulance will
drive onto the course to collect the injured
horse. The vet continually reassesses injured
horses to determine where the injury is and
apply support bandaging sometimes with
splints in order to protect the damaged area
whilst recovering to the stables for further
reassessment. If the fallen horse is obstructing
the racecourse; the jump in front of the horse
undergoes the dolling off procedure which
directs the jockeys approaching on the
second circuit to miss out that jump and steer
round the faller.
Horses that pull up (drop out
of the race) whilst racing...
When the vet is following the horses whilst
racing we are watching each horse carefully
for any sudden changes. Towards the end of
the longer distance races it is expected that
some horses for a variety of reasons may tire
and the jockey takes the decision to let the
horse slow down and make its way round to
the finish area in its own time. Often of more
concern to the following vet are those horses
that pull up suddenly in the earlier stages of the
race. They may pull up lame and the jockey
dismounts straightaway. The vet then attends
the horse and if appropriate for assessment
privacy, the screens are put up around the
horse. If the horse is not lame but the jockey
was not happy for other reasons then the
jockey may ride quietly back to the finish after
the horse has been examined by the vet.
At the finish of the race
The vets are very aware that problems can
arise with tired horses as they are crossing
the finish line, as they are being unsaddled,
washed off and in the parade ring hence
we split our duties so that all the horses are
supervised as much as possible. Occasionally
a horse may develop a nose bleed or
become more noticeably lame after the race
has finished and require attention. Washing
the horses off with cold water and gentle
walking helps the large muscle groups in
hindquarters, back and neck to cool down
and disperse the lactic acid. The cool down
period for any athlete is important for looking
after the muscles, tendons and ligaments in
preparation for the next phase of their training
programme and ultimately their next race.
Acknowledgements
- John Grossick Photographer
- James Armstrong Clerk of the Course for
Newcastle Racecourse
- Peter & Kim Dunn - Horse Ambulance Providers
- Alnorthumbria Vets Equine Staff
The horse ambulance
and driver play a key
role in any race day by
the recovery of injured
horses both to the stables
at the racecourse and
if necessary onto an
equine diagnostic and
surgical clinic. The design of the horse
ambulance has a low loading ramp into
and out of it, this minimises the effort that
an injured horse has to make getting into
the vehicle. The side supports reduce the
swaying of the animal’s body on potentially
injured limbs and the front unload, low
ramp avoids the horse having to turn a
corner at the same time as bracing itself
coming down the ramp.
The Horse Ambulance