FLAT, HURDLE AND STEEPLE RACING - RISK-FACTORS FOR MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURY

A retrospective case-control study was conducted to identify and quant ify risk factors for serious musculoskeletal injury sustained at 4 Aus tralian metropolitan racetracks. During the period of study (August 19 88-July 1995) there were 196 cases from flat racing, 52 cases from hur dle racing and 53 cases from steeplechases. The incidences of fatal mu sculoskeletal injuries per start for flat, hurdle and steeple races we re 0.06, 0.63 and 1.43% respectively. Logistic regression identified h arder track surfaces, horses being older than age 3 years, one racecou rse (Flemington) and jumping races as significant risk factors which i ncreased the risk of musculoskeletal breakdown. The incidence of fatal musculoskeletal injuries for flat races at the 4 study tracks was sim ilar to that reported in the UK but less than the USA. Death rates for hurdle and steeple races in the study population were higher than in the UK, Strategies to reduce the incidence of serious musculoskeletal injuries may include avoidance of excessively hard track surfaces thro ugh closer regulation of track moisture content; implementation of mor e rigorous prerace lameness examinations of horses, particularly older horses; and altering the design and number of jumps in hurdle and ste eple races. The quantification of risk, as we have reported here, is t he first step towards addressing the causes of musculoskeletal breakdo wn and should help in applying a reasoned approach to intervention mea sures that may be effective in reducing racing injuries.