Prevalence of superficial digital flexor tendonitis and suspensory desmitis in Japanese Thoroughbred flat racehorses in 1999.
Authors: Kasashima Y, Takahashi T, Smith R K W, Goodship A E, Kuwano A, Ueno T, Hirano S
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary Superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and suspensory apparatus injuries represent significant sources of wastage in Thoroughbred racing, yet previous epidemiological work has largely focused on injuries sustained during racing rather than the training phase where many lesions originate. Kasashima and colleagues examined Japanese flat racehorses in 1999 using clinical examination combined with ultrasonographic assessment to establish baseline prevalence figures for both SDFT tendonitis and suspensory desmitis across the full spectrum of training and racing activity. The findings provided quantified prevalence data for the Japanese racing population, identifying which injuries were most prevalent during different phases of a horse's career. Understanding these injury patterns and their relative frequency is crucial for farriers, physiotherapists and veterinarians working with young and competing horses, as it allows targeted risk management and preventive strategies during the training phase when many of these injuries first become apparent—potentially reducing the substantial economic and welfare losses associated with tendon-related career terminations in racehorses.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Monitor racehorses for tendon injuries during both training and racing phases, as training-related injuries are clinically common but often underreported in epidemiological data
- •SDFT and suspensory ligament injuries represent significant causes of wastage in racing Thoroughbreds and warrant preventive management strategies
- •Understanding the complete injury prevalence (training + racing) provides better risk assessment for racing operations and training programs
Key Findings
- •Study determined prevalence of SDFT and suspensory ligament injuries in Japanese Thoroughbred racehorses during 1999
- •Overstrain injuries to SDFT and suspensory ligament are among the most common musculoskeletal injuries in racing Thoroughbreds
- •Injuries sustained during training were included alongside racing injuries to establish overall prevalence