Audit of animal-related injuries at UK veterinary schools between 2009 and 2018.

BACKGROUND: Animal-related injuries pose a significant risk to the veterinary profession. This study aimed to describe the incidence, demographics, context and consequences of animal-related injuries at UK veterinary schools. METHODS: A multicentre audit of accident records (2009-2018) across five UK veterinary schools was performed. Injury rates were stratified by school, demographics and species. The context and cause of the injury were described. Multivariable logistic models explored factors associated with medical treatment, hospital visits and time off work. RESULTS: An annual rate of 2.60 (95% confidence interval 2.48-2.72) injuries per 100 graduating students was calculated, varying between veterinary schools. Injuries were more frequently recorded in staff than students, and there were significant differences between staff and students in the activities performed preceding injury. Cats and dogs were associated with the highest number of reported injuries. However, injuries associated with cattle and horses were the most severe, with significantly higher hospital attendances and more time off work taken. LIMITATIONS: Data were based on reported injuries and likely underestimate the true injury rate. The population at risk was hard to quantify as population size and exposure were variable. CONCLUSION: Further research is recommended to explore the clinical and workplace management, including recording culture, of animal-related injuries among veterinary professionals.

Management of Injuries in Agility Dogs.

Agility is a physically demanding sport, and injuries are common. An understanding of the common clinical presentations, frequent injuries, and risk factors for injury is critical when seeing this population of patients in practice. Shoulder injuries and other soft tissue injuries including iliopsoas muscle strains are commonly seen. The Border Collie seems to be at higher risk of developing agility-related injuries. The key to rehabilitation of the agility dog is accurate and expedient diagnosis of the injury, which often involves advanced diagnostics such as musculoskeletal ultrasound, arthroscopy, and/or MRI.

A Cross Sectional Survey of International Horse-Racing Authorities on Injury Data Collection and Reporting Practices For Professional Jockeys.

Jockey injuries are common in professional horse-racing and can result in life-threatening or career-ending outcomes. Robust injury data are essential to understand the circumstances of injury occurrence and ultimately identify prevention opportunities. This study aimed to identify jockey injury surveillance practices of international horse-racing authorities (HRAs) and the specific data items collected and reported by each HRA. A cross-sectional survey of representatives (e.g. Chief Medical Officer) from international HRAs was conducted. An online and paper questionnaire was designed comprised of 32 questions. Questions considered the barriers and facilitators to data collection within each HRA, and where available, what data were collected and reported by HRAs. Representatives from 15 international racing jurisdictions were included, of which 12 reported collection of race day injuries or falls, using varied definitions of medical attention and time loss. Six HRAs did not have a definition for a jockey injury, and eight HRAs had no parameters for describing injury severity. Race day exposure was collected by two HRAs. Results were commonly presented by HRAs as the number of injuries (n = 9/15) or proportion of injured jockeys (n = 6/15). The lack of a designated role for collection, collation and reporting of data was the main barrier for injury surveillance. Twelve HRAs agreed that mandatory collection would be a strong facilitator to improving practice. Enhancement and standardization of international jockey injury surveillance is required to move forward with evidence informed prevention. Concurrent investigation of how reporting practices can be best supported within existing HRA structures is recommended.

An Internet survey of risk factors for injury in North American dogs competing in flyball.

A survey was used to investigate injuries in dogs competing in flyball. Complete surveys were obtained from 272 respondents with 589 dogs. In the past year, 23.3% of dogs were injured, with 34.1% injured during their career to date. Common injury sites were paws/digits, back, shoulder, and iliopsoas muscle/groin. Injury in previous years, modified by weight:height ratio, was a significant risk factor for injury. Dogs > 2 y of age had increased risk of injury, as did dogs with best times < 4.0 s. Canadian dogs had increased risk of injury (30.7% injured) compared to United States dogs (20.1% injured). This relationship was modified by participation in other sports, which generally reduced risk of injury in Canadian dogs. Further investigation of risk factors should include differences in training and competition between the United States and Canada, as well as injury prevention strategies.

Un sondage Internet sur les facteurs de risque de blessure chez les chiens nord-américains participant au flyball. Un sondage a été utilisé pour enquêter sur les blessures chez les chiens participant au flyball. Des enquêtes complètes ont été obtenues auprès de 272 répondants avec 589 chiens. Au cours de la dernière année, 23,3 % des chiens ont été blessés, et 34,1 % au cours de leur carrière à ce jour. Les sites de blessure les plus courants étaient les pattes/doigts, le dos, l'épaule et l'aine/muscle psoas iliaque. Les blessures des années précédentes, modifiées par le rapport poids/taille, étaient un facteur de risque important de blessures. Les chiens de plus de 2 ans présentaient un risque accru de blessures, tout comme les chiens avec les meilleurs temps < 4,0 s. Les chiens canadiens présentaient un risque accru de blessures (30,7 % de blessés) par rapport aux chiens américains (20,1 % de blessés). Cette relation était modifiée par la participation à d'autres sports, ce qui réduisait généralement le risque de blessure chez les chiens canadiens. Une enquête plus approfondie sur les facteurs de risque devrait inclure les différences d'entraînement et de compétition entre les États-Unis et le Canada, ainsi que des stratégies de prévention des blessures.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

A prospective cohort study on the acute:chronic workload ratio in relation to injuries in high level eventing horses: A comprehensive 3-year study.

In human sport science, the acute:chronic workload (ACWR) ratio is used to monitor an athlete's preparedness for competition and to assess injury risks. The aim of this study was to investigate whether acute and chronic workload calculations for external and internal loads (e.g. high-speed work distance and associated exertional effort) were associated with injury risk in elite eventing horses and to identify workloads performed by horses competing in different competition and at different fitness levels. Training load and injury data were collected from 58 international eventing horses (CCI2*-CCI5* level) over 1-3 years. A total of 94 individual competition seasons were monitored. During this period, heart rate (HR; beat/min) and GPS data were collected of all their conditional training sessions and competitions. External load was determined as the distance (m) covered at high speed (HS1 ; velocity between 6.6 and 9.5 m/s), and sprint speed (SS2 ; velocity>9.5 m/s). Internal load was calculated for HS and SS, using individualized training impulses (TRIMP3 ;AU). For internal and external workload HS and SS the acute (1-week) and chronic (4-week) workloads were calculated and ACWR4 determined. The injury data in relation to ACWR was modelled with a multilevel logistic regression. Akaike's information criterion was used for model reduction. Sixty-four soft tissue injuries were registered from a total of 2300 training sessions and competitions. External and internal workload at HS and SS were significantly affected by the year and fitness level of horses. Competition level and year significantly affected the distances covered at SS. The ACWR of high-speed distance of the present week (OR; 0.133, 95 % CI; 0.032, 0.484) and the previous week (OR 3.951, 95 % CI; 1.390, 12.498) were significantly associated with injury risk. Competition level and chronic workload had no significant effect on injuries. In agreement with findings in human athletes, acute spikes of workload in eventing horses increased the risk of injury. Evaluation of horses' workload can be used to design and effectively monitor training programs and can help to improve equine welfare by reducing injury risk.

Successful medical management and rehabilitation of exercise-induced dorsal scapular luxation in an ultramarathon endurance sled dog with magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis of grade II serratus ventralis strain.

Dorsal displacement of the scapula in dogs is rare and often traumatic. This report describes dorsal luxation of the scapula in a sled dog. This case is unique given the injury was sport-related. Magnetic resonance imaging helped direct therapy and monitor healing; and medical management with rehabilitation resulted in full recovery and return to sport. One year after injury, the dog completed both a 482 km and a 1600 km endurance race, placing among the leading teams in the 1600-km race.

Traitement médical réussi d'une luxation scapulaire dorsale aiguë secondaire à la pratique du sport d'endurance chez un chien de traîneau et diagnostic par IRM d'une lésion du m. dentelé ventral. Le déplacement dorsal de la scapula est rare chez le chien et souvent d'origine traumatique. Ce rapport décrit une luxation scapulaire dorsale aiguë chez un chien de traîneau à l'effort. L'intérêt de ce cas tient à sa cause, associé à la pratique de l'activité sportive; à l'analyse des changements en IRM soutenant une thérapie ciblée consistant en un support médical ainsi que d'un programme de rééducation physique, résultant en un rétablissement complet. Un an après cette blessure, le chien termina des courses d'endurance de 482 km et de 1600 km, se classant lors de cette dernière parmi les meilleures équipes de la course.(Traduit par les auteurs).

A survey of risk factors for digit injuries among dogs training and competing in agility events.

OBJECTIVE To identify potential risk factors for digit injuries in dogs training and competing in agility events. DESIGN Internet-based, retrospective, cross-sectional survey. ANIMALS 1,081 dogs training or competing in agility events. PROCEDURES Data were collected for eligible animals via retrospective surveys distributed electronically to handlers of dogs participating in agility-related activities. Variables evaluated included demographic (handlers) and signalment (dogs) information, physical characteristics of dogs, and injury characteristics. A separate survey of dogs competing in similar agility-related activities but without digit injuries was also administered. Multivariable logistic regression was used to develop a model for assessment of risk factors. RESULTS Data were collected from 207 agility dogs with digit injuries and 874 agility dogs without digit injuries. Factors associated with significantly increased odds of injury included Border Collie breed (OR, 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5 to 3.3), long nails (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.3 to 4.5), absence of front dewclaws (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.3 to 2.6), and greater weight-to-height ratio (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1 to 2.0). Odds of injury decreased with increasing age of the dog (OR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.76 to 0.86). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results should be cautiously interpreted because of potential respondent and recall bias and lack of review of medical records. Nevertheless, results suggested that retaining healthy dewclaws, maintaining lean body mass, and trimming nails short for training and competition may decrease the likelihood of digit injuries. Research to investigate training practices, obstacle construction specifcations, and surface considerations for dogs competing in agility activities is indicated.

Characterization and comparison of injuries caused by spontaneous versus organized dogfighting.

OBJECTIVE To characterize and compare injuries found in dogs involved in spontaneously occurring dogfights with those of dogs used in illegal organized dogfighting. DESIGN Retrospective case-control study. ANIMALS 36 medium-sized dogs evaluated following spontaneous fights with a dog of the same sex and similar weight (medium dog-medium dog [MDMD] fights), 160 small dogs examined following spontaneous fights with a larger dog (big dog-little dog [BDLD] fights), and 62 dogs evaluated after being seized in connection with dogfighting law enforcement raids. PROCEDURES Demographic characteristics and injuries were recorded from medical records. Prevalence of soft tissue injuries in predetermined body surface zones, as well as dental or skeletal injuries, was determined for dogs grouped by involvement in BDLD, MDMD, and organized dogfights. The extent of injuries in each location was scored and compared among groups by 1-factor ANOVA. Patterns of injuries commonly incurred by each group were determined by use of prevalence data. RESULTS Mean extent of injury scores differed significantly among groups for all body surface zones except the eye and periorbital region. Mean scores for dental injuries and rib fractures also differed significantly among groups. Organized fighting dogs more commonly had multiple injuries, particularly of the thoracic limbs, dorsal and lateral aspects of the head and muzzle or oral mucosa, dorsal and lateral aspects of the neck, and ventral neck and thoracic region. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE To the authors' knowledge, this was the first study to compare injuries incurred during spontaneous and organized dogfighting. Establishing evidence-based patterns of injury will help clinicians identify dogs injured by organized dogfighting and aid in the prosecution of this crime.

Thoroughbred fatality and associated jockey falls and injuries in races in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, Australia: 2009-2014.

Monitoring racehorse fatality and associated jockey falls provides benchmarks for intervention strategies. The aims of this study were to describe the incidence of and reasons for fatalities in Thoroughbred horses during flat races in the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales (NSW), Australia, and to describe reported jockey falls and injuries associated with racehorse fatalities. A cohort study identified all racehorse fatalities reported through Racing NSW for the 2009-2010 to 2013-2014 racing seasons. Risks of racehorse fatality, fatal musculoskeletal injury, spontaneous death (as distinct from euthanasia) and racehorse fatality associated jockey falls and injuries were calculated using Poisson regression. A total of 167 horse fatalities were reported, with an overall incidence of 0.59 deaths/1000 starts. Forty-nine reasons for horse fatality were reported, although post-mortem examinations were conducted on only 52/165 (31.5%) horses. Musculoskeletal injury accounted for 144/167 (86.2%) fatalities, with an incidence of 0.52/1000 starts. Fractures comprised 96/167 (57.5%) fatalities, with the fetlock or proximal sesamoid bones being the most common fracture location, comprising 36/96 (37.5%) fractures. Only 22/166 (13.3%) racehorse fatalities were due to spontaneous death, representing an incidence of 0.08/1000 starts. A total of 50 racehorse fatality associated jockey falls were reported (incidence of 0.18/1000 starts), with 32 reported jockey injuries (incidence of 0.12/1000 starts). Most racehorse fatality associated jockey injuries occurred to the limbs (17/32, 53.1%), particularly the upper limb. The estimates for both horse fatality and associated jockey injury were comparable with previous estimates from other jurisdictions internationally.

Prevalence of subchondral bone pathological changes in the distal metacarpi/metatarsi of racing Thoroughbred horses.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of microscopic subchondral bone injury in the distal metacarpi/tarsi of Thoroughbred racehorses and associations with recent and cumulative training history. METHODS: Metacarpi/metatarsi were obtained from postmortem examination of Thoroughbred racehorses. The severity of palmar/plantar osteochondral disease (POD) was graded in forelimbs from 38 horses and in hindlimbs from a separate cohort of 45 horses. Forelimb samples were embedded in methyl methacrylate and examined using backscattered scanning electron microscopy. Microfracture density in the condylar subchondral bone was determined. Horizontal subchondral bone fractures were identified in hindlimb samples using sections of demineralised tissue. Empty osteocyte lacunae were quantified in hindlimb samples using sections of demineralised tissue. RESULTS: The prevalence of gross POD was 65.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 48.7-80.4%) in the forelimb and 57.8% (95% CI 42.2-72.3%) in the hindlimb cohort of horses. Microfractures occurred in the forelimbs of 97.4% (95% CI 86.2-99.9%) of horses. Microfracture density in forelimbs increased with age (rs = 0.50, P = 0.001), the number of race starts (rs = 0.47, P = 0.003) and was greater in the medial condyles of horses in training than in those not in training (n = 21, median: 3.1/mm; range: 0.8-10.0 vs n = 17, 1.4/mm; 0-4.5, P = 0.008). Empty osteocyte lacunae were observed in the subchondral bone of hindlimbs in 97.7% (95% CI 88.0-99.9%) of 44 horses. CONCLUSIONS: Subchondral bone pathology occurs with a high prevalence in Thoroughbred racehorses presented for postmortem examination. The accumulation of subchondral bone damage with longer career duration is consistent with bone fatigue.

Retrospective evaluation of all recorded horse race starts in Switzerland during a four year period focusing on discipline-specific risk factors for clinical events.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Racetrack injuries are of welfare concern and the prevention of injuries is an important goal in many racing jurisdictions. Over the years this has led to more detailed recording of clinical events on racecourses. However, risk factor analyses of clinical events at race meetings have not been previously reported for Switzerland. OBJECTIVES: To identify discipline-specific factors that influence the occurrence of clinical events during race meetings with the ultimate aim of improving the monitoring and safety of racetracks in Switzerland and optimising racehorse welfare. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of horse race data collected by the Swiss horse racing association. METHODS: All race starts (n = 17,670, including 6198 flat, 1257 obstacle and 10,215 trot race starts) recorded over a period of 4 years (2009-2012) were analysed in multivariable mixed effect logistic regression models including horse and racecourse related data. The models were designed to identify discipline-specific factors influencing the occurrence of clinical events on racecourses in Switzerland. RESULTS: Factors influencing the risk of clinical events during races were different for each discipline. The risk of a clinical event in trot racing was lower for racing on a Porphyre sand track than on grass tracks. Horses whose driver was also their trainer had an approximately 2-fold higher risk for clinical events. In obstacle races, longer distances (2401-3300 m and 3301-5400 m, respectively) had a protective effect compared with racing over shorter distances. In flat racing, 5 racecourses reported significantly fewer clinical events. In all 3 disciplines, finishing 8th place or later was associated with clinical events. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in management that aim to improve the safety and welfare of racehorses, such as racetrack adaptations, need to be individualised for each discipline.

Lung region and racing affect mechanical properties of equine pulmonary microvasculature.

Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage is a performance-limiting condition of racehorses associated with severe pathology, including small pulmonary vein remodeling. Pathology is limited to caudodorsal (CD) lung. Mechanical properties of equine pulmonary microvasculature have not been studied. We hypothesized that regional differences in pulmonary artery and vein mechanical characteristics do not exist in control animals, and that racing and venous remodeling impact pulmonary vein mechanical properties in CD lung. Pulmonary arteries and veins [range of internal diameters 207-386 ± 67 µm (mean ± SD)] were harvested from eight control and seven raced horses. With the use of wire myography, CD and cranioventral (CV) vessels were stretched in 10-µm increments. Peak wall tension was plotted against changes in diameter (length). Length-tension data were compared between vessel type, lung region, and horse status (control and raced). Pulmonary veins are stiffer walled than arteries. CD pulmonary arteries are stiffer than CV arteries, whereas CV veins are stiffer than CD veins. Racing is associated with increased stiffness of CD pulmonary veins and, to a lesser extent, CV arteries. For example, at 305 µm, tension in raced and control CD veins is 27.74 ± 2.91 and 19.67 ± 2.63 mN/mm (means ± SE; P < 0.05, Bonferroni's multiple-comparisons test after two-way ANOVA), and 16.12 ± 2.04 and 15.07 ± 2.47 mN/mm in raced and control CV arteries, respectively. This is the first report of an effect of region and/or exercise on mechanical characteristics of small pulmonary vessels. These findings may implicate pulmonary vein remodeling in exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage pathogenesis.

Accuracy of distal limb fracture diagnosis at British racecourses 1999-2005.

Accurate diagnosis of racing injuries can be difficult. The objectives of this study were to describe the postmortem (PM) defined distribution of fatal distal limb fractures (DLF) affecting Thoroughbreds racing in Great Britain between February 1999 and August 2005 and then assess the accuracy of veterinary racecourse diagnoses and examine whether these improved following introduction of a computerised recording system. PM examinations were performed on limbs distal to radius or tibia from all cases of fatal DLF occurring on British racecourses during the study period. Results of these examinations were described and compared with the diagnoses made at the racecourses. Over the study period, fatal DLF prevalence in all race types was 0.63 per 1000 starts (344/545,335), with the lowest frequency (0.34 per 1000 starts) in flat racing on turf and the highest frequency (1.56 per 1000 starts) in national hunt flat races. The prevalence of fatal DLF in steeplechase racing had reduced from that reported previously: from 2.3 to 1 per 1000 starts. Racecourse veterinary identification of fracture presence was good (>93 per cent); however, identification of all fractured bones was poor (<55 per cent). Introduction of a computerised recording system did not significantly improve diagnostic accuracy. The prevalence of fatal DLF has not significantly altered since the 1970s. Techniques such as on course digital radiography to help improve racecourse fracture diagnoses could be introduced.

Epidemiology of injury among handlers and dogs competing in the sport of agility.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the epidemiology of dog sport-related injuries. This study examines injuries among handlers and dogs in the sport of dog agility. METHODS: A cross-sectional pilot study captured data on demographics, exposures, and injury for a sample of agility handlers and dogs. Logistic regressions predicted odds of injury. RESULTS: Survey of 217 handlers and 431 dogs identified 31 handler injuries (1.55 training injuries per 1000 hours, 2.14 competition injuries per 1000 runs) and 38 dog injuries (1.74 training injuries per 1000 hours, 1.72 competition injuries per 1000 runs). Handlers most commonly injured knees (48.4%) and lower trunk (29.0%). Most common diagnoses were strains (51.6%) and sprains (32.3%). Obese handlers had increased odds of injury compared with normal weight handlers (OR = 5.5, P < .001). Dogs most commonly injured front paws (23.7%) and shoulders (15.8%). Most common diagnoses were strains (44.7%) and cut/scrapes (21.1%). Injury was positively associated with dog's age (P < .05). Handlers more commonly reported positive physical, emotional, and social motivations for participation than competitive. CONCLUSIONS: Despite many health benefits, dog agility poses a risk of injury to both handlers and dogs. Future research on specific mechanisms of injury should drive evidence-based injury prevention strategies.

Internet-based survey of the nature and perceived causes of injury to dogs participating in agility training and competition events.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize injuries (on the basis of type and severity of injury and affected region of the body) among dogs participating in agility training and competition events and examine associations between injury characteristics and perceived causes of injury. DESIGN: Internet-based, retrospective, cross-sectional survey. ANIMALS: 3,801 privately owned dogs participating in agility training or trials. PROCEDURES: A retrospective electronic survey was developed to investigate demographic factors for dogs and handlers, frequency of participation in agility training and competition, and perceived causes and characteristics of injuries acquired by dogs during agility-related activities. Respondents were handlers recruited through member lists of large canine agility associations in Canada and the United Kingdom and through promotion on an agility blog site. Associations between cause and anatomic site or type of injury and between injury severity (mild vs severe) and setting (competition vs practice) were investigated. RESULTS: Surveys were received from 1,669 handlers of 3,801 agility dogs internationally. Handler-reported data indicated 1,209 of 3,801 (32%) dogs had ≥ 1 injury; of 1,523 analyzed injuries, the shoulder (349 injuries), back (282), and neck (189) regions and phalanges (202) were predominantly affected. Soft tissue injuries (eg, strain [muscle or tendon injury; 807], sprain [ligament injury; 312], and contusion [200]) were common. Injuries were most commonly incurred during interactions with bar jumps, A-frames, and dog walk obstacles (260, 235, and 177 of 1,602 injuries, respectively). Anatomic site and type of injury were significantly associated with perceived cause of injury. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings provided a basis for further experimental studies to identify specific mechanisms of various types of injury in dogs that participate in agility activities.

Survey-based analysis of risk factors for injury among dogs participating in agility training and competition events.

OBJECTIVE: To identify potential risk factors for agility-related injuries among dogs. DESIGN: Internet-based, retrospective, cross-sectional survey. ANIMALS: 3,801 privately owned dogs participating in agility training or trials. PROCEDURES: A retrospective electronic survey was used to investigate potential risk factors for injury among dogs participating in agility-related activities. Respondents were handlers recruited through member lists of large canine agility associations in Canada and the United Kingdom and through promotion on an agility blog site. Variables evaluated included demographic information for handlers and dogs, exposure variables (eg, frequency of agility practice and competition in the past year), and use of preventive measures intended to keep dogs fit for agility (warmup, cooldown, or conditioning exercises; alternative therapeutic treatments [eg, acupuncture, massage, or chiropractic care]; or dietary supplement products). RESULTS: Data were collected from 1,669 handlers of 3,801 agility dogs internationally; 1,209 (32%) dogs incurred ≥ 1 injury. Previous injury (OR, 100.5), ≤ 4 years of agility experience for dogs (OR, 1.5), use of alternative therapeutic treatments (OR, 1.5), and Border Collie breed (OR, 1.7) were associated with increased odds of injury. Handlers having 5 to 10 or > 10 years of experience (OR, 0.8 and 0.6, respectively) and dogs having > 4 years of experience in the sport (OR, 0.6) were associated with decreased odds of injury. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Specific factors were associated with agility-related injuries in dogs. Educational prevention strategies should target at-risk populations in an effort to reduce potential injuries. Future research should focus on the biomechanical factors associated with agility-related injuries.

Risk factors for interruptions to training occurring before the first trial start of 2-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses.

AIM: To quantify the time from the start of training to the first interruption and to identify horse and training risk factors for voluntary interruptions and interruptions due to musculoskeletal injury occurring before the first trial. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was used to collect data on the training activity of 2-year-old racehorses, from 14 trainers in the Northern and Central Districts of New Zealand, over two racing seasons (2008/09 and 2009/10). Daily training data were recorded for each horse, including, distances worked at canter (>15 seconds/200 m), three measures of high-speed exercise (15, 13, and <12 seconds/200 m) and reasons why horses were not working. Competing risks survival analysis was used to investigate associations between risk factors and voluntary interruptions (no known condition or disease present), or interruptions due to musculoskeletal injury occurring before the first official trial. RESULTS: A total of 205 horses spent 11,051 training days at risk of an interruption before the first trial. There were 134/205 (65.4%) cases of interruptions, of which 115/134 (85.8%) were voluntary interruptions and 19/134 (14.2%) were due to musculoskeletal injury. In the final multivariable models, the risk of voluntary interruptions decreased with increasing age at the start of training, and increased with the number of days off during training, but was not associated with gender. Females had a decreased risk of interruptions due to musculoskeletal injury compared with males. There was no association between the number of high-speed events and either voluntary interruptions or interruptions due to musculoskeletal injury. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The study highlighted horse and training risk factors associated with two types of interruptions occurring during training. Identification of modifiable risk factors may help to reduce the proportion of horses experiencing an interruption before the first trial start, reducing the number of lost training days and the associated cost.

Clinical and diagnostic imaging findings in horses with subchondral bone trauma of the sagittal groove of the proximal phalanx.

Eight sports horses with unilateral (4) or bilateral (3) forelimb or unilateral hindlimb (1) lameness had subtle radiologic abnormalities of the subchondral bone of the sagittal groove of the proximal phalanx associated with moderate or intense increased radiopharmaceutical uptake. High-field or low-field magnetic resonance (MR) imaging confirmed the presence of a fissure fracture or subchondral and trabecular bone trauma. Seven of eight lesions were located approximately midway between the dorsal and palmar cortices of the proximal phalanx; the eighth was sited more dorsally. Two horses underwent follow-up MR imaging and abnormal signal intensity persisted, with little change.