Search Results (4)

Information regarding the histopathology of the proximal phalanx (P1) sagittal groove in racehorses is limited. Twenty-nine cadaver limbs from nine Thoroughbred racehorses in racing/race-training underwent histological examination. Histological specimens of the third metacarpal/metatarsal (MC3/MT3) parasagittal grooves and P1 sagittal grooves were graded for histopathological findings in hyaline cartilage (HC), calcified cartilage (CC), and subchondral plate and trabecular bone (SCB/TB) regions. Histopathological grades were compared between (1) fissure and non-fissure locations observed in a previous study and (2) dorsal, middle, and palmar/plantar aspects. (1) HC, CC, and SCB/TB grades were more severe in fissure than non-fissure locations in the MC3/MT3 parasagittal groove (p < 0.001). SCB/TB grades were more severe in fissure than non-fissure locations in the P1 sagittal groove (p < 0.001). (2) HC, CC, and SCB/TB grades including SCB collapse were more severe in the palmar/plantar than the middle aspect of the MC3/MT3 parasagittal groove (p < 0.001). SCB/TB grades including SCB collapse were more severe in the dorsal and middle than the palmar/plantar aspect of the P1 sagittal groove (p < 0.001). Histopathology in the SCB/TB region including bone fatigue injury was related to fissure locations, the palmar/plantar MC3/MT3 parasagittal groove, and the dorsal P1 sagittal groove. Full article

There have been horse races for many centuries. Horse racing is closely related to horse betting, which is illegal in China, and strictly speaking, horse betting is regarded as gambling. If horse racing opens up in China, “horse betting”, legally, will likely be included as a part of the process. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, China has banned horse racing at the beginning of its development. After China’s reforms and opening up, it was tacitly approved and then refused until now. Several provinces in China have made pioneering contributions in this area since the 1990s. Nevertheless, the Chinese authorities are cautious about such plans for various reasons. Until now, the central government has not liberalized the scheme except for a few local trials of speed horse racing, which do not have the property of “betting on the horse”. This paper explores its problems in terms of both historical evolution and realistic development. Then, it proposes practical options for horse racing development based on summarizing the expansion of existing policies to promote horse racing. These options are in response to the lack of development models not mentioned in the guidelines. Full article

Ontario’s Alcohol and Gaming Commission records equine racing fatalities through its Equine Health Program. The present study examined all Thoroughbred fatalities from 2003 to 2015, inclusive, to identify associations. Official records and details of fatalities were combined in multivariable logistic regression modelling of 236,386 race work-events (433 fatalities), and 459,013 workout work-events (252 fatalities). Fatality rates were 2.94/1000 race starts (all fatalities) and 1.96/1000 (breakdowns only) with an overall rate of 2.61% or 26.1 fatalities/1000 horses. Comparison with published reports reveals rates to be high. Musculoskeletal injury was the predominant complaint and there was a high incidence of horses dying suddenly. Liability was high for young horses early in the season with a differential according to sex and whether a male horse was gelded. Horses undertaking repeated workouts had a higher liability and liability was higher in workouts for horses switching from dirt/synthetic to turf racing and for young horses in sprints. Race distance was not significant but high fatality rates in some large field, distance races combined with effects of age and workload identified groups at particular risk. As field size increased, fatality liability increased for early-finishing horses. Findings suggest jockey strategy could be an important factor influencing fatalities. Probability of fatality declined over the study period. Findings indicate that rapid accumulation of workload in animals early in their preparation is likely to be damaging. Fatality fell toward the end of a season and for horses with a long career history of successful performance; however, horses not exhibiting this robustness and staying power represent the population of greatest concern. Associations may be characterised as representing sources of stress, current or cumulative, and identifying at-risk animals on this basis may be as productive as targeting specific, discrete mechanisms suspected to contribute to individual fatalities. Full article

In Tibetan history and culture, horses were among the most important animals, if not the most important of all. Horses were the mounts that provided transport, particularly for the nobility and kings, allowing them to travel more quickly and comfortably. Horses were also used for hunting, postal services, and to build a cavalry for warfare. In addition, they played a role in various entertainments, including horse racing, games, and parades. The unusually large number of manuscripts on horses attests to the value of horses in the Tibetan imaginaire compared to other animals that lived in the company of the people on the High Plateau, in Tibet itself, and in Tibetan cultural areas. This article begins with an outline of the uses and benefits of horses in Tibetan culture. It touches upon the animal’s role as the mount of Tibetan kings and debates regarding horses’ mental faculties. Then it presents a survey of the content of various manuscripts on equine studies based on sources from three stages: (1) the earliest Tibetan sources from Dunhuang; (2) translations from Indian texts; and (3) extensive compendia that merges all of the knowledge on horses available at the time of their composition. It analyzes the style and content of books that indicate the approach of the authors to the topic of “horse” and points to their view of horses in relation to Tibetan culture and Buddhism. Moreover, the books’ content mirrors the various functions and applications of horses in Tibet and India. It reveals the purpose of these books in general and illustrates the relation between textuality and orality. The study demonstrates the link between hippology and hippiatry, and the development of equine studies in Tibet. It shows the influence of humans on horse medicine and, moreover, contributes to an improved understanding of the development of Tibetan medical sciences in general. Full article