When it comes to catastrophic injuries in racehorses, most people immediately think of severe limb fractures. But these athletes sometimes suffer life-threatening fractures beyond the limbs. Lumbar vertebral fractures, for instance, can occur in the loin area near where the rear of the saddle sits.

In a recent study by University of California, Davis, researchers funded by the California Horse Racing Board’s Racing Safety Program, scientists took a retrospective look at catastrophic lumbar vertebral fractures that occurred on California racetracks from 1990 to 2012.

“Our hope is that by bringing light to the factors that occur prior to these often fatal fractures, veterinarians can begin to recognize the warning signs before the injury occurs, potentially preventing a breakdown on the track,” said lead researcher Elizabeth M. Collar, DVM, now a resident in large animal surgery at Oregon State University.

Lumbar vertebral fractures are dangerous for both horse and rider when they occur. Study horses that sustained this type of fracture typically fell or somersaulted at the time of injury, putting the jockey and the rest of the field in significant danger