Track surface conditions play an important role in the risk of bone fractures in racing Thoroughbreds. Unfavorable conditions of turf and dirt impair the natural shock-absorbing mechanisms of the equine limb, increasing the likelihood of a career-ending fracture.


In an article published in the Japan Racing Journal, Masa-aki Oikawa, DVM, PhD, recently reported that as turf courses become wetter and softer, fracture risk is reduced. In contrast, muddy conditions on dirt courses lead to a greater risk of horses sustaining a fracture.


Oikawa, a researcher at the Japan Racing Association’s Equine Research Institute, noted that although several biological and non-biological factors contribute to racehorse injuries, some are more important than others. “The conditions of the track surface have a major influence on the occurrence of fractures in horses during training and racing,” he said.


Using records from the Japan Racing Association and the Racehorse Information Management System, Oikawa analyzed data from 1987 to 2000 regarding track conditions, racing times, and fractures sustained during flat races on Japanese turf and dirt tracks. After examining the outcomes of 556,705 horses, he determined that the incidence of fracture was 1.83% for the 14-year period

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