Physical Parameters and Risk Factors Associated with the Elimination of Arabian and Crossed Arabian Endurance Horses during a 120-km Endurance Race

A description of veterinary eliminations within British National Endurance rides in the competitive season of 2019

Veterinary eliminations within the equestrian sport of endurance have predominantly been evaluated based on data from international competitions. However, in order to take part in international competition, each horse and rider must qualify by completing rides under their national federation. The aim of this study was to analyse the competitive data and veterinary eliminations, specifically lameness, from competitions run by the British governing body of endurance: Endurance GB, during the 2019 competitive season. Competitive results for 765 ride starts from seven different ride venues were evaluated; 81.6% (n=624) horses successfully completed the rides, with the remaining 18.4% (n=141) failing to complete the ride. The majority of horses that were unsuccessful were eliminated for lameness at veterinary inspections (n=83; 58.9%). Horses competing in single loop rides (up to 55 km rides) had a success rate of 88.6% (n=624), in contrast, horses competing in rides of three loops or more (>80 km rides) reported a decreased success rate of 61.8% (n=81). Hindlimb lameness was identified more frequently (n=50; 60.2%) compared with forelimb lameness (n=33; 39.8%). Further consideration should be given to the differences between single loop rides, where a higher percentage are presented to the veterinary panel as lame prior to the start, and multi loop rides, where a higher percentage of horses are eliminated lame during the ride and potential risk factors for the increased prevalence of hindlimb lameness observed.

Factors associated with completion of Fédération Équestre Internationale endurance rides (2012-2019): Modelling success to promote welfare-oriented decisions in the equestrian sport of endurance

Endurance riding is a popular equestrian sport organised at the international level by the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI). The sport involves prolonged exercise at speed over significant distances, which puts a substantial load on equine athletes' musculoskeletal systems and metabolism and contributes to the risk of injuries and other veterinary problems. The FEI employs a system of in-ride veterinary inspections aimed at early detection of such problems and elimination of horses unfit to continue in the ride. To date, risk factors for elimination due to irregular gait or metabolic problems have been the primary focus of scientific enquiry. The present study is the first large-scale multivariable study to report factors associated with the positive outcome of endurance rides - their successful completion. This retrospective observational cohort study used data from the FEI's Global Endurance Database. The study cohort included 74,629 starts made by 21,346 unique horses in one-day international-level competitions held worldwide between July 2012 and December 2019. Forty-one potential factors identified based on previous studies and a priori hypotheses were considered in the analysis. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate associations between ride completion and predictor variables and their interactions. The study identified 19 factors and four interactions associated with an increased or decreased likelihood of successful ride completion. High competition frequency (fewer days over mandatory out of competition period; Wald χ² 71.35, P-value <0.0001), fast riding speed (236.57, <0.0001), upward changes in competition level and riding speed between two successive rides (103.59, <0.0001 and 87.60, <0.0001) were associated with a decrease in the likelihood of ride completion. These factors can be effectively regulated by appropriate rules and considered by athletes when planning competition schedules, preparing ride strategies, or indeed during the ride itself. Other identified factors, including horse and rider age, sex, completions and eliminations history, contribute to an estimate of the likelihood that a particular combination completes a ride and thus can aid veterinarians at veterinary inspections as additional inputs supporting their decision-making when assessing horses' fitness to continue in the competition. The study's main limitation is an absence of data on national-level rides. Such data and data on training and veterinary histories remain difficult to access and were unavailable for the analysis. The present study's results demonstrate that shifting the focus to modelling the positive outcome is a valuable approach offering evidence-based recommendations for good horsemanship, better-informed veterinary inspections, and welfare-oriented rules.

A Descriptive Study of Training Methods for Fédération Equestre Internationale Endurance Horses in New Zealand

Training measures, particularly those that examine the interactions between training volume, speed, and recovery, can improve understanding of training practices that contribute to success and avoid adverse horse welfare outcomes in endurance competitions. This study describes the training of Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) 100-160 km level horses in New Zealand. A convenience sample of 16 participants and 25 horses were surveyed before commencement of training. Participants then reported daily data for an entire nine-month season of training and competition. Participants began their season with predetermined goals and individual training plans for each horse. They intended to use competitions for training. Competitions contributed a median of 44% [IQR, 36%-49%] of total accumulated distance (in training and competition) for each horse for the season, despite being only 11% (207/1,933) of all days worked. Most starts (80%) were in domestic-level (CEN) competition ≤80 km. Speed ranged from 2-18 km/hour on home training days to 6-18.5 km/hour in CEN competitions and 10.9-16.9 km/hour in FEI competitions. Horses were worked 34% [IQR, 21-38] of days in training, ranging from 12% to 55% for individual horses. The most common horse health problem was lameness, affecting 12/25 horses, for a median of 9 (range, 1-78) days. This study highlights the potential for CEN data as a resource to improve understanding of training and competition load, speed, and recovery and therefore reduce adverse horse welfare outcomes in FEI competitions.

The association between clinical parameters recorded at vet gates during Fédération Equestre Internationale endurance rides and the imminent risk of elimination

BACKGROUND

Endurance competitions over distances of 80-160 km are required by Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) rules to be divided into a number of stages between three and six. These stages are also known as "loops". Veterinary inspections, designed to ensure horse welfare, are conducted at the end of each loop, with details recorded on a separate "vet card" for each horse.

OBJECTIVES

To identify risk factors recorded on vet cards that were associated with elimination at subsequent loops.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

Data relating to 3213 horse starts worldwide in international (CEI) events during 2014 were analysed. Univariable logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for potential inclusion in a final multivariable logistic regression model. Models were constructed stepwise using backwards-removal and assessed using the Bayesian information criterion.

RESULTS

Risk factors were identified, which would allow an "in-ride" risk profile to be constructed for each horse which evolves as the horse progresses through the ride. Some risk factors such as abnormal gait and high heart rate were found to be repeatedly associated with imminent failure to qualify.

MAIN LIMITATIONS

This is a relatively small study in terms of cohort size, based on the data that were available at the time of the study. Although comprehensive ride history data were also available for each horse via the main FEI database, training data were not.

CONCLUSIONS

By identifying risk factors observed during the veterinary inspections at the end of a loop that are strongly associated with elimination at the end of the next or subsequent loops, these results provide an evidence-base for educational initiatives and regulatory changes that will inform the way veterinary delegates use veterinary inspections to help identify horses at risk of imminent FTQ.

Characteristics of Endurance Competitions and Risk Factors for Elimination in New Zealand during Six Seasons of Competition (2010/11-2015/16)

Simple Summary

International media has recently raised awareness about horse welfare during endurance competitions. However, much of this attention is focused on international level competitions (FEI) and little is known about domestic level competitions and their risk factors for elimination. The characteristics of endurance rides and risk factors for elimination of horses due to lameness and metabolic reasons were described by assessing the records of all competitors during six competition seasons in New Zealand (2010/11–2015/16). Endurance ride entries were dominated by lower distances (40–80 km), with the number of eliminations increasing with ride distance. The competition season was structured with the longer, more competitive rides at the end of the season, allowing the shorter, earlier rides to be used as conditioning rides. Ride distance, location and progression of the endurance season were significantly associated with eliminations due to lameness or metabolic reasons and horse age was significant for metabolic reasons only. The changing profile of endurance competitors over the years showed a decreasing number of higher level riders and subsequent increase in lower level riders competing in shorter rides. This profile with low competition speeds, demonstrates better horse welfare outcomes than seen in other parts of the world.

Abstract

The welfare of horses in endurance competitions has been the focus of recent media attention. Epidemiological studies have examined the sport at the international (FEI) level. However, much of the participation in the sport occurs at a national level in preparation for FEI level competition. The aims of this study were to describe participation in, and risk factors for elimination, from New Zealand endurance competitions. Data were collated from all endurance competitions (≥40 km) held in New Zealand during the 2010/11–2015/16 competition seasons. There were 6885 starts (n = 775 horses, n = 665 riders), horses had a median age of 9 years (IQR 6.2–10.0) and had a median of 3 (IQR 2–5) starts per season. Accumulated ride distance per season per horse decreased from a median of 240 km/horse (IQR 120–440) in 2010/11 to 180 km/horse (IQR 80–320) in 2015/16. Ride entries were dominated by the 40 km (n = 2834, 41%) and 80 km (n = 2517, 37%) distances. Eliminations increased with ride distance, from 7% in 40 km rides to 53% in the 160 km rides. Lameness accounted for the majority of eliminations (64%). The odds of elimination due to lameness were significantly associated with ride distance, location (North or South island) and time of year. The 11% of starters eliminated for metabolic reasons of the horse had increased odds of elimination associated with horse age, ride distance, location and time of year.

Validity of an established metabolic disorder index as a predictor for metabolic eliminations in endurance horses

Endurance horses are usually eliminated from the race due to lameness, metabolic ailments or technical reasons. The purpose of the study was to determine the validity and reliability of the metabolic disorder index (MDI) in predicting metabolic eliminations in endurance horses during an endurance race. Fifty-four endurance horses competing on two local endurance tracks were involved in the study. Blood samples were collected a day prior to the event to determine packed cell volume (PCV), chloride (Cl-), interleukin-6 (IL-6), creatine kinase (CK) and glutathione reductase (GR) concentrations from all participating horses. These parameters were used for the determination of metabolic disorder index in endurance horses at rest (one day before the competition). All data were statistically analysed. In 40, 80 and 120 km race distances, the successfully completed horses had a significant lower serum concentration of CK and a significant higher serum concentration of Cl- than the eliminated horses (P < .05). There were no significant differences in PCV, serum concentrations of IL-6 and GR between the successfully completed and eliminated horses in the 40, 80 and 120 km race distances. The MDI at the rest one day before the race could predict potential of metabolic eliminations in endurance horses with at least 78.26%, 80% and 83.33% accuracies in 40, 80 and 120 km race distances. The sensitivity of the MDI was 81.82%, 80% and 100% in the 40, 80 and 100 km race distances. The specificity of the MDI was 80% for the 80 km race distance and 75% for the 40 and 120 km race distances. In conclusion, the metabolic disorder index is a reliable method for the prediction of metabolic eliminations in endurance horses participating in endurance races.

Equine endurance race pacing strategy differs between finishers and non-finishers in 120 km single-day races

Race pace strategy has been extensively studied in human sports, such as running, cycling and swimming. In contrast, pacing strategy appears to have been virtually ignored in equestrian sport despite the potential for contributing to performance optimisation. The aim of the present study was to analyse data available in the public domain for electronically-timed FEI 120 km (single day) CEI** endurance races that took place in Europe and the Middle East in 2016 and 2017. Competition records for 389 horses in 24 races, each consisting of 4 phases (loops/laps), were evaluated; 56% (n=219) of horses successfully completed the races analysed, with the remaining 44% (n=170) not finishing. The majority of horses that did not finish were withdrawn for gait related reasons (n=125; 74%). Across the duration of the races, horses that successfully finished recorded 7% slower average speeds (P=0.0001) compared to those that did not finish. Loop (lap) speed decreased sequentially throughout races from loop 1 > loop 2 > loop 3 for both the horses that completed and those that failed to complete, but the rate of decrease was greater in horses that did not complete. Horses withdrawn at the first veterinary check for ‘gait’ recorded a 36% faster average speed than those withdrawn at the finish (P=0.0001). Horses withdrawn for ‘metabolic’ reasons at the finish recorded a significant increase in loop speed from loop 3 to the final loop (P=0.02), with their speed increasing by an average of 7% on the final loop. Horses that failed to finish races completed loop 1 at a faster speed than those horses that finished and subsequently had a greater reduction in speed across the remaining loops. In contrast, horses that finished successfully had a slower loop 1 speed and completed subsequent loops at a higher percentage of their loop 1 speed. Consideration of race pace strategy in equine endurance racing may be a tool to reduce gait and metabolic eliminations and increase the chance of completion.