72
46TH
ANNUAL
CONGRESS
OF
THE
SAEVA
SKUKUZA
16-‐20
FEBRUARY
2014
a horse’s risk for a CMI, were the horse’s age, gender, distance raced and the
jockey’s weight.
Discussion: The types of CMI in relation to the factors especially surface type are
generally on par with what has been reported in other countries. The left limb
predilection for injury could be due to all racing in South Africa taking place in a
clockwise direction, the precise reason for this being speculative. The high number
of male horses in particular geldings maybe due to them generally having longer
racing careers than fillies; mares and colts which may be used for breeding purposes
thus having a shorter racing career [1, 2]. A limitation of this study is the relatively
low numbers of limbs in the study population resulting in a lower chance of statistical
significance for the risk factors
Conclusions: The types of CMIs seen on Gauteng racetracks were reported and
categorised according to their frequency of occurrence as well as detailed
descriptions of them obtained. Potential risk factors for Thoroughbred racehorse in
South Africa were also identified.
Reference:
1.
Estberg, L., Stover, S.M., Gardner, I.A., Johnson, B.J., Case, J.T., Ardans, A.A., Read, D.H,
Anderson, M.L., Barr, B.C., Daft, B.M., Kinde, H., Moore, J., Stolz, J and Woods, L. (1996)
Fatal musculoskeletal injury incurred during racing and training in Thoroughbreds.
J.Am.Vet.Med.Ass.208, 92-96.
2.
Estberg, L., Stover, S.M., Gardner, I.A., Johnson, B.J., Jack, R.A., Case, J.T.et al. (1998)
Relationship between race start characteristics and risk of catastrophic injury in
Thoroughbreds: 78 cases (1992). J. Am. Vet. Med. Ass.212, 544-549.
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