This is an author produced version of a paper published in Preventive Veterinary Medicine. This paper has been peer-reviewed but may not include the final publisher proof-corrections or pagination. Orthopaedic, or other, injuries in sports medicine can be quantified using the 'days-lost to 27 training' concept. Both the training regimen and the surface used in training and racing can 28 affect the health of racehorses. Our aim was to associate 'days-lost to training' in elite-level 29show-jumpers to horse characteristics, training and management strategies, and the time spent 30 working on various training and competition surfaces. We designed a longitudinal study of 31 professional riders in four European countries. Data were recorded using training diaries. 32Reasons for days-lost were classified into non-acute and acute orthopaedic, medical, hoof-33 related, and undefined. We produced descriptive statistics of training durations, relative to 34 type of training, surfaces used, and days-lost. We created zero-inflated negative-binomial 35 random-effects models using the overall days-lost as outcome. In the whole dataset, duration 36 variables related to training surfaces were analysed as independent. The Swedish data only 37were also used to test whether duration variables were related to competition surfaces. 38Thirty-one riders with 263 horses provided data on 39,028 days at risk. Of these, 2357 (6.0%) 39were days-lost (55% and 22% of these were due to non-acute and acute orthopaedic injuries, 40 respectively) in 126 horses. 41In the all-country model, controlling for season, a significant variable was country. 42Switzerland and the UK had lower incidence-rate ratios (IR) compared to Sweden (IRs 0.2 43 and 0.03, respectively). Horses with previous orthopaedic problems had almost a doubled IR 44 (1.8) of days-lost due to orthopaedic injury, compared to baseline. If the horse had jumping 45 training more than 1 minute per day at risk the IRs were 6.9-7 (compared to less than this 46 amount of time); this was, however, likely an effect of a small baseline. Variation in training 47 was a protective factor with a dose-response relationship; the category with the highest 48 variation had an IR of 0. horses. Limited training use of sand surface was a risk-factor (IR 2.2; >4≤12 min/day at risk), 54 compared to not training on sand. Training/competing on sand-wood was a protective factor 55 (IRs 0.4-0.5) compared to not using this surface. 56 57

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The dual-mode accelerometric device was sufficiently accurate to quantify and compare locomotor activity in horses moving at different speeds and gaits. Positioning the device on the hindlimb allowed for the most accurate results. The step count function can be useful but must be manually corrected, especially at the walk.

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ObjectiveTo determine long term outcomes of nonracing equines athletes treated for short incomplete proximal sagittal fractures of the proximal phalanx (SIPSFP1) by lag screw fixation.Study designRetrospective study.Sample populationThirty‐one horses.MethodsMedical records from horses with an SIPSFP1 (2008‐2014) were reviewed. Long‐term (≥12 months) outcomes were assessed with telephone interviews and clinical and radiographic examinations.ResultsWarmblood was the predominant breed in cases included in the study. Among horses with long‐term interview information, 27 of 31 returned to previous athletic activity level. In total, 15 horses with 19 fractures had clinical and radiographic assessment after a minimum of 12 months. Among those, nine of 15 horses were sound at the trot, and six of 15 were mildly lame. Complete radiographic healing was confirmed in six limbs, and the facture line was evident in 13. The position of the proximal screw was not associated with radiographic fracture healing or return to soundness.ConclusionMost horses treated for SIPSFP1 with lag screw fixation returned to previous activity levels, although radiographic fracture healing remained incomplete 12 months or more after surgery.Clinical significanceLag screw fixation is a valid treatment for horses not used for racing that are experiencing an SIPSFP1 and results in a high rate of return to intended use, although complete radiographic fracture healing cannot be expected.