Of the variables available at presentation, only evidence of bone or tendon involvement negatively affected survival and athletic function. During treatment of synovial sepsis, analysis of synovial fluid at 4-6 days and bacterial culture results have prognostic value.

Summary Background Musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) in racehorses are commonly due to bone fatigue, a function of the number of cycles (strides) and the magnitude of load applied to the limb. These parameters can be estimated using speed and distance, with greater than 6000 m/month at a gallop (>14 m/s), in combination with canter distances greater than 44,000 m/month, reported to increase fracture risk. Despite their importance, there are limited data on the distances and speeds horses are exposed to during training. Objectives Estimate training volume at different speeds undertaken by Australian Thoroughbred racehorses. Study design Cross‐sectional study. Methods Registered trainers (n = 66) in Victoria, Australia were surveyed. Questions were designed to assess the full training workload from initial pre‐training to training performed to achieve and maintain race fitness, as well as information on rest periods. Descriptive analyses were stratified by trainer‐ and horse‐level factors, with assessment of variance within and between groups. Cluster analyses were used to identify similar workload intensity groups. Results Horse‐level factors (age, targeted race distance) were associated with workload (younger

Lymphoma is the most common intestinal neoplasm in horses, but its clinical-pathological features are poorly characterized. Primary intestinal lymphoma was diagnosed in 20 horses on biopsy samples and further confirmed by postmortem examination in 16 cases. Lymphoma was found in the small intestine in 12 of 20 (60%), in the colon in 5 of 20 (25%), and in both small and large intestines in 3 of 20 (15%) cases. Gross findings included thickening of the intestinal wall (45%), mural nodules or masses (30%), and both thickening and nodules (10%). Cases were classified according to the human World Health Organization classification as enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL) type 1 (40%), EATL type 2 (45%), and T-cell-rich large B-cell lymphoma (TCRLBCL) (15%). With respect to histologic grade, 70% of cases were grade 1 and 30% were grade 2. Of EATLs, the infiltrate was mucosal only (12%), mucosal and submucosal (53%), or transmural (35%). EATL1 was submucosal to transmural (2/8 and 6/8), EATL2 was mucosal to submucosal (3/9 and 6/9), and TCRLBCL was always transmural. Epitheliotropism was present in most EATLs and characterized by single-cell infiltrates within the epithelium in EATL1 and intraepithelial clusters or plaques in EATL2. Median survival was 25 days for EATL1, 90 days for EATL2, and 187.5 days for TCRLBCL; differences were not statistically significant. Of the EATLs, grade 1 had a median survival of 60 days and grade 2 had a median survival of 25 days; differences were not statistically significant.

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Background With each stride, galloping horses generate large skeletal loads which influence bone physiology, and may contribute to musculoskeletal injury. Horse speed and stride characteristics are related, but the usefulness of using horse speed and distance travelled as a proxy for stride characteristics is unknown. Objectives We aimed to determine stride characteristics, their variance and their relationship with speed in horses performing maximally. Study design Retrospective cross‐sectional analysis of archived data. Methods Stride characteristics obtained using GPS and inertial sensors in Thoroughbred horses were retrieved. Data per 200 m race segment (‘sectionals’) for horses competing in races (N = 25,259 race starts) were analysed to determine if speed predicted stride parameters. Multivariable mixed‐effects linear regression models were fitted. Results Mean (±SD) stride length, stride count (number of strides per 200 m), duration and speed were 7.08 ± 0.39 m, 28.32 ± 1.56 strides/200 m, 0.43 ± 0.02 s/stride and 16.63 ± 1.04 m/s across all sectionals and starts. Speed and stride length decreased, and stride count increased with race progression (P < 0.001). Male sex, greater race distance, better finishing position and firmer track surfaces were associated with less strides per 200 m and longer stride durations. Main limitations Lack of an independent party validation of the measurement system used in this study. Conclusions There was a substantial inter‐horse variation in stride parameters, with speed predicting half or less of this variation. Speed alone does not fully explain stride characteristics in horses. Future studies aimed at investigating the impact of gait on bone biology and pathology would benefit from accounting for stride characteristics (eg length and duration).

Simple SummaryMusculoskeletal injury rates for Thoroughbred racehorses in training and racing differ between racing jurisdictions. The aetiology of these injuries is multifactorial, but one potentially important and modifiable risk factor is the track surface on which horses train. However, the extent to which different track surfaces are used by trainers has not been clearly established. Similarly, the extent of use of alternatives to ridden exercise between different jurisdictions is unknown. Trainers in Victoria, Australia, use a combination of turf, sand, synthetic and dirt training track surfaces. Sand or synthetic surfaces were most commonly used for slow workouts and turf or synthetic tracks for fast workouts. A high proportion of trainers raced horses on surfaces that were not regularly used for training, and 89% of trainers used alternative exercise methods in addition to overground ridden workouts. Determining types of surfaces and alternatives to ridden exercise used during training, and to what extent they are used, is the first step in understanding their association with the risk of injury. The future aim is mitigating injury risk by recommending safer track surfaces.AbstractLittle is known about the types of surfaces used during training of Thoroughbred racehorses or methods of exercise used in addition to ridden track-work. Our aims were to (1) describe the types of surfaces used in the training of Thoroughbred racehorses and to (2) identify alternative approaches used to exercise horses in addition to, or in place of, ridden overground track-work. Information regarding surface and alternative exercise methods was collected as part of an in-person survey of training practices of 66 registered Thoroughbred trainers in Victoria, Australia. Sand and synthetic surfaces were used by 97% and 36% of trainers respectively for slow-workouts, with galloping on turf training tracks used in training regimens by 82% and synthetic by 58% of trainers. Of those trainers utilising turf tracks, only 34% of gallop training was completed on turf despite turf being the predominant racing surface. Almost 90% of trainers used alternatives to ridden exercise. There is substantial variation in training surface used and alternative types of exercise undertaken by Victorian trainers. Future research should focus on how such practices relate to injury risk, particularly as it relates to the importance of musculoskeletal adaptation to specific race-day surfaces.

Ultrasonography is useful in the diagnosis and assessment of moderate to severe muscle strain injuries. The prognosis appears to be favourable in most cases, although recurrence of injury and lameness can delay the return to athletic activity and an inferior outcome with persistent gait abnormality may occur.

Thoroughbreds undergoing DAL-DDFT for type 1 flexural deformity of the DIPJ are less likely to race when compared with their maternal siblings. For those that do race, the time to first race, total races and earnings per race are not different from controls. There is no evidence to suggest that age at the time of surgery influences the likelihood of racing.