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R A C I NG
Peak Performance:
Racing
Horse-racing exists in various forms,
meaning the nature of the injuries can
vary depending on the type of horse
and the race training involved.
Flat racing takes place on grass turf, or
on all-weather surfaces, and the minimum
distance is five furlongs (5/8 of a mile).
Horses can race as two or three year olds
with most horses entering flat racing as two
year olds.
Opinions vary on whether racing at this
age is too young, however there is
considerable evidence to suggest that
exercise at this age helps to condition the
musculo-skeletal system to withstand work
in later life.
National Hunt racing takes place on turf,
over obstacles, and the minimum distance
is two miles. The obstacles are either hurdles
or steeplechases. Hurdles are smaller and if
the horse strikes the hurdle, it will give way
on impact. National Hunt horses are usually
older and larger framed. National Hunt
horses carry a greater weight.
Point-to-point racing is the amateur branch of
steeplechasing. There are also National Hunt
flat races, which are run over two miles.
Horses enter National Hunt racing through
racing at point-to-point level, or National
Hunt flat racing.
Injuries can be broadly
categorised into:
As well as the musculo-skeletal system,
training places great demands on the horse’s
cardiovascular and respiratory systems. It is
not uncommon for trainers to use heart rate
monitors and GPS systems to see exactly how
much work a horse is doing when training.
This also allows their recovery from exercise
to be monitored, which is often used as a
valuable aid in assessing fitness.
Obstruction of airflow from the nostrils to
the lungs can have serious implications on
performance and stamina. The lungs also
need to be free of disease to allow transfer
of gases. Lung disease can be a significant
cause of poor performance.
Traditional practices of with-holding food
prior to exercise, high cereal-based diets,
prolonged periods of stabling with minimal
access to forage/turn-out are all factors
which can lead to stomach ulcers. However,
with gastroscopy readily available and
increased awareness of the condition, many
trainers have developed regimens to manage
the problem. Indeed, some trainers with
horses suffering from recurrent stomach ulcers
or persistent airway inflammation can train
a horse to racing fitness from the field.
Unlike other sports, racehorses also need to
cope with the presence of other horses
around them whilst they gallop and jump.
The successful racehorse must be physically fit
and conditioned to race, but must also have
a mental toughness and willingness to gallop
hard and be in front of all the other horses.
Veterinary Surgeon
Colin Mitchell
XLEquine Practice
Scott Mitchell
Associates
These are difficult to quantify, as mild
lameness may go undetected and a vet
may not be called to every injury.
Training injuries
These are reliably documented by the
British Horseracing Authority and can
be sub-divided into National Hunt and
flat injuries. Others in this category are
related to falls and collisions with other
horses, for example, pelvic injury and
lower limb cuts/lacerations.
Racecourse injuries
Scanning the pelvis of a racehorse
l
Examples of these in National Hunt
horses include: tendonitis, suspensory
ligament strains and back pain.
l
Examples in flat horses in training
might include: knee and fetlock joint
disease, splints, sore shins and
stress fractures.
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EQUINE MATTERS
Colin Mitchell BVM&S CertEP MRCVS,
Scott Mitchell Associates