Risk factors for horse falls in New Zealand Thoroughbred jumps racing.

Autor: Legg KA; School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand. Electronic address: k.legg@massey.ac.nz., Bolwell CF; School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand., Gee EK; School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand., Gibson MJ; School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand., Rogers CW; School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand; School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997) [Vet J] 2022 Nov; Vol. 289, pp. 105915. Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 Oct 13.
DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2022.105915
Abstrakt: This study aimed to determine the incidence of, and risk factors for race-day horse falls in Thoroughbred jumps (hurdle and steeplechase) racing in New Zealand. Incidence rates for race-day horse falls in jumps races from 2005/6 - 2018/19 racing seasons (n = 13,648 race day starts) were calculated per 1000 starts. Univariable and multivariable analyses of race-, horse- and jockey-level risk factors for horse falls were conducted using Poisson regression in a generalised linear mixed model. The incidence rate of horse falls in jumps races was 42 (95 % confidence intervals [CI], 39 - 45) per 1000 starts. Horse falls in steeplechase races were 1.6 (95 % CI, 1.4 - 1.9) times more likely than hurdle races. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) for horses falling at the last three jumps in comparison with the first three jumps was 3.1 (95 % CI, 2.8 - 3.5) for hurdle and 4.4 (95 % CI, 3.9 - 5.0) for steeplechase races. Greater jockey (age, P = 0.02) and horse experience (P = 0.001) were associated with a lower IRR of falls (P = 0.05). Longer races (P = 0.02) and those held in autumn compared to winter (IRR 1.4; 95 % CI, 1.0 - 1.8; P = 0.05) were associated with a higher rate of falling in steeplechase races. A regulatory change enhancing discretionary ability of jockeys to pull up 'in-race' was associated with reduced horse falls (IRR 0.65; 95 % CI, 0.51 - 0.82; P = 0.001). Pragmatic rule changes within the industry can have a positive effect on reducing risk and improving equine welfare.
Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement None of the authors has any financial or personal relationships that could inappropriately influence or bias the content of the paper.
(Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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