Characteristics of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racehorses that sustained a complete scapular fracture

Abstract

Despite breed differences for signalment and exercise distances, both breeds incur a complete scapular fracture that is more likely to occur in the right scapula of young and older, male racehorses, early in their race career or after few races. Quarter Horses sustain a catastrophic scapular fracture more frequently than TBs.

Ontario Racehorse Death Registry, 2003–2015: Descriptive analysis and rates of mortality

“…However, the picture is not simple. In some investigations, as here, risk is carried disproportionally by young and by older horses, while middle‐aged animals tend to have relatively low risk . Young horses may more frequently have problems with temperament and tractability, be predisposed to injuries reflecting skeletal immaturity and be more prone to fatigue, while older horses may suffer from cumulative damage.…”

Description of the incidence, clinical presentation and outcome of proximal limb and pelvic fractures in Hong Kong racehorses during 2003–2014

“…By contrast, in the USA, Vallance et al . identified that 55% of scapular fractures occurred during training. Additionally, in the current study all scapular fractures occurred in the right forelimb.…”

Dynamic properties of a dirt and a synthetic equine racetrack surface measured by a track‐testing device

“…Racehorse attrition and fatalities due to musculoskeletal injuries are high. In California, approximately one Thoroughbred racehorse dies racing or training at a racetrack due to a musculoskeletal injury for every 24 racehorses that start in a race [1]. Racetrack surface is one of several risk factors associated with racehorse injury and death, but the observed associations of different surface materials with injury risk are not consistent, probably due to confounding factors inherent in epidemiological studies [2].…”