Descriptive epidemiology of fractures occurring in British Thoroughbred racehorses in training.
Authors: Verheyen K L R, Wood J L N
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Fracture Epidemiology in Thoroughbred Racehorses British Thoroughbred racehorses sustain fractures at a rate of 1.15 per 100 horse-months during training, with stress fractures accounting for at least 57% of all cases and pelvic and tibial injuries representing over a quarter of diagnoses, according to this prospective two-year study of 1,178 horses managed by 13 UK trainers. The research reveals that the vast majority (78%) of fractures occur during training rather than racing, highlighting a critical gap in our understanding of injuries sustained away from the racecourse where evidence-based injury prevention strategies remain poorly developed. Stress fractures predominating in this cohort suggests that current training protocols for young Thoroughbreds may not adequately prepare skeletal tissues for the demands placed upon them, pointing towards opportunities to modify exercise programmes in ways that could promote more robust bone development and reduce fracture incidence. Veterinarians, trainers and farriers involved in racing can use these epidemiological data to contextualise fracture risk and advocate for training modifications—such as progressive conditioning, varied surfaces, and attention to individual recovery—that build skeletal resilience before racetrack debut. This body of evidence demonstrates that rigorous investigation of training injuries, rather than focusing solely on racing-related trauma, provides the foundation for designing safer, more scientifically grounded protocols that ultimately improve horse welfare and performance longevity.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Stress fractures account for over half of fractures in training racehorses, suggesting current training intensities and progression schedules may exceed skeletal adaptation capacity in young horses
- •Trainers should prioritize monitoring for early signs of stress injury (particularly in pelvis and tibia) as these account for nearly 3 in 10 fractures and may be preventable with adjusted workload
- •Evidence supports reviewing and individualizing training programs based on skeletal maturity and response to work, rather than standardized high-intensity protocols
Key Findings
- •Nontraumatic fracture incidence was 1.15 per 100 horse-months in British Thoroughbreds in training
- •78% of fractures occurred during training rather than racing
- •At least 57% of fractures were stress fractures, with pelvic and tibial stress injuries accounting for 28% of all fractures
- •Training regimes for young Thoroughbreds may benefit from modification to reduce stress fracture occurrence and improve skeletal robustness