Racing injuries of two year old thoroughbreds and quarter horses

Abstract

Racing injuries of two year old Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses in the U.S. were characterized using two databases of injury reports from racing regulatory veterinarians. Two year old Thoroughbreds sustained fewer racing injuries on dirt surfaces than older horses on a per start basis, and fewer fatal injuries. The major differences in the types of injuries of two year old Thoroughbreds versus older horses were that two year olds had significantly fewer soft tissue injuries, fewer carpal fractures and more upper limb long bone fractures. Injury rates were not higher earlier in the year, or at longer race distances, dispelling public concerns of relative musculoskeletal immaturity. Fatal fractures predominately were associated with the stretch turn, and non-fast racing surfaces. Colts were overrepresented in comparison to fillies. In Illinois, more training fatalities were reported for two year olds than racing fatalities. Quarter Horse injury patterns were similar as fractures predominated and no soft tissue injuries were reported.