Retrospective Analysis of Equine Traumatic Injury: Patterns and Insights
Authors: Zulfitri Naim Abdul Rahim, Noraniza Mohd Adzahan, Intan Shameha Abdul Razak, Z. Zakaria, Puteri Rose Camelia Roselan
Journal: Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Equine Traumatic Injury Patterns in Malaysia Traumatic injuries represent the second most common equine emergency and impose substantial economic and welfare burdens on the industry, yet epidemiological data remain sparse in many regions. A retrospective review of 422 medical records from a Malaysian university veterinary hospital in 2023 identified traumatic injuries in 99 horses (23%), encompassing 107 distinct injury incidents. Wounds dominated the injury profile at 60.7%, though fractures (9.3%) and soft-tissue damage to ligaments and tendons (15.0%) occurred at concerning rates; stable environments and ridden work proved equally hazardous alongside competitive situations, whilst interpersonal conflict (being kicked) and penetrating trauma from sharp objects each accounted for 11.2% of cases, with forelimbs and distal limb structures bearing the greatest burden. These findings underscore the importance of targeted environmental and management modifications—including stable design, tack maintenance, and turnout supervision—for reducing preventable injuries, particularly given that nearly 40% of traumatic cases involved forelimbs where complications frequently compromise athletic function and economic viability. For farriers, veterinarians, and yard managers, recognising that trauma occurs across all activity contexts rather than exclusively during high-risk situations should prompt systematic hazard assessment in everyday facilities and routines.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Stable management and horse-to-horse interactions warrant focused attention for injury prevention, as nearly half of injuries occur in the stable or during handling
- •Distal limb wounds are the most common presentation; ensure good wound management protocols and tetanus prophylaxis are routine for all traumatic cases
- •Enhanced stable design, separated feeding/turnout areas, and protective equipment during work may reduce injury incidence based on these location and mechanism data
Key Findings
- •23.0% of 422 horses presenting to the university veterinary hospital in 2023 had sustained traumatic injuries (99 horses with 107 total injuries)
- •Stable environment was the most common location for injury (26.2%), followed by riding (18.7%) and competition (18.7%)
- •Wounds were the predominant injury type (60.7%), with fractures (9.3%) and ligament/tendon injuries (15.0%) also frequent
- •Being kicked by another horse and penetration by sharp objects were equally common injury mechanisms (11.2% each), with forelimbs (38.8%) and hindlimbs (29.8%) most frequently affected at distal locations