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EQUINE VETERINARY EDUCATION / AE / JANUARY 2017
TABLE 1: Performance parameters before and after SDFT branch injury in isolation (not associated with a SDFT metacarpal injury) in Standardbred racehorses
SDFT branch injury (n = 15)
Number of starts Mean ± s.d. (range) Median
Number of shows Mean ± s.d. (range) Median
Number of wins Mean ± s.d. (range) Median
Total earnings (€) Mean ± s.d. (range) Median
12 months before
12.2 ± 7.2 (1–22) 12
5.9 ± 4.0 (0–12) 7
1.1 ± 1.2 (0–3) 1
30,796 ± 28,036 (0–87,170) 23,280
12–24 months after
13.2 ± 10.9 (0–29) 16
6.6 ± 6.1 (0–18) 7
1.2 ± 2.1 (0–6) 0
25,864 ± 41,565 (0–134,800) 4445
TABLE 2: Performance parameters before and after injury of the lateral or medial SDFT branch in Standardbred racehorses 12 months before
Lateral SDFT branch injury (n = 12) Number of starts Mean ± s.d. (range) Median
Number of shows Mean ± s.d. (range) Median
Number of wins Mean ± s.d. (range) Median
Total earnings (€) Mean ± s.d. (range) Median
Medial SDFT branch injury (n = 3) Number of starts Mean ± s.d. (range) Median
Number of shows Mean ± s.d. (range) Median
Number of wins Mean ± s.d. (range) Median
Total earnings (€) Mean ± s.d. (range) Median
10.3 ± 6.7 (1–21) 8
4.8 ± 3.6 (0–11) 4.5
0.9 ± 1.1 (0–3) 1
23,168 ± 22,696 (0–68,910) 17,015
20.0 ± 2.0 (18–22) 20
10.3 ± 1.5 (9–12) 10
2.0 ± 1.7 (0–3) 3
61,310 ± 30,388(27,840–87,170) 68,920
12–24 months after
13.3 ± 11.8 (0–29) 13.5
6.5 ± 6.5 (0–18) 7
1.3 ± 2.3 (0–6) 0
28,498 ± 45,960 (0–13,4800) 4402.5
12.7 ± 7.6 (4–18) 16
7.0 ± 5.0 (2–12) 7
0.7 ± 1.2 (0–2) 0
15,330 ± 16,358 (590–32,930) 12,470
In our study, 93% of Standardbred racehorses returned to
racing. This compares favourably with what was previously reported in Thoroughbred racehorses (70%) (Gibson et al. 1997) and it supports our initial hypothesis. The reinjury rate was, however, 22% in Standardbred racehorses, which is slightly higher than in Thoroughbreds (10%) for the same type of lesions (Gibson et al. 1997). This difference may reflect the more ‘uncontrolled’ rehabilitation strategy used in our study. Some horses may also have been returned to exercise too quickly due to the time and economical pressure well recognised in the Standardbred racing industry. Racecourse designs, racetrack surfaces, maximum racing speed and gait differences are likely to account for such differences between Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds (Bertuglia et al. 2014). The biomechanics of ‘flying trot’ and the slower speed compared to high-speed gallop seems to reduce the likelihood of bone
© 2015 EVJ Ltd
failure accidents. The limited vertical oscillation of the centre of mass during trot generates a reduced impact on the front legs during the stance phase of the stride (Biewener 1998). The much lower rate of reinjury for SDFT branch lesions
compared with mid-metacarpal lesions (Godwin et al. 2012) is of utmost importance, even though a methodical comparison between studies remains difficult. A recurrence rate of 53% has been reported for conservative management of metacarpal injury (Dyson 2004). As previously explained, cross-sectional area and blood supply could account for the lower recurrence rate (Stromberg 1971; Riemersma and Schamhardt 1985; Kraus-Hansen et al. 1992). It was suggested that horses with SDFT injuries in the pastern
may have a poorer prognosis for return to racing than those with injuries in the metacarpal region, with a more frequent recurrence of injury (Reimer 1997). The conclusions from our
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