Each month, we break down five recently published scientific studies that could affect the way we breed, train, and race Thoroughbreds. We explain what the research found and what it means for you.
In this month's Science Corner, we look at preventing the things we don't want (like musculoskeletal injury and poor behaviour) and promoting the things we do - like the next generation of equine vets to take care of our horses. Dive into mathematical models, novel classification systems, and population analysis in this edition.
You can click the title of each paper to read it in full.
#1. A reminder of rest's benefit for bone repair
What’s it about?
In this study published by The Royal Society, an existing mathematical model for equine bone adaptation under stress was used to explore the effects of 15 different training programs based on regimes used by Victorian trainers, and which ones led to the highest probability of a horse getting a musculoskeletal injury.
Key findings:
Less is more - lower-volume training programs resulted in sufficient bone adaptation with less damage, even with high-speed training sessions.
Programs that incorporated two or more rest periods a year, or rest periods of over six weeks, performed the best for reducing bone damage.
Horses working | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
What it means for you:
Mathematical models have long had a use for predicting results for projects that will take a long time to complete and might be hard to carry out at the needed scale. This study serves as a reminder for the value of rest in deterring injury, and shows how a 'just enough' workload is the best path to injury prevention.
#2. Difficult clients, work-life balance, and horse knowledge putting vet students off the equine world
What’s it about?
The Australian Veterinary Association have produced this study exploring what barriers exist in getting veterinary students to choose a career in the equine industry. Students from seven universities across Australia were surveyed for their thoughts about entering the industry, with invitations extended for follow-up Zoom interviews to further explain their feelings.
Key findings:
Almost all (81%) of respondents expressed concerns about difficult clients in the horse industry, while workplace culture and work-life balance were also key concerns.
Equine experience was also a limiting factor, and many students expressed the belief that you had to be 'horsey' to be an equine vet. There were also limited opportunities to gain experience with horses in their studies, versus other animals.
Equine veterinary student | Image courtesy of Ballarat Veterinary Practice
What it means for you:
Vets are a vital part of the Thoroughbred industry, and their availability and skillsets can dramatically affect outcomes at all stages of a horse's life. It is worth being aware of the pressures affecting careers in the vet world, particularly with the equine sphere being a less appealing one to join. Be nice to your vet.
#3. Genes identified as linked to behavioural traits
What’s it about?
The Republic of Korea's National Institute of Animal Science conducted this study looking into what genes could potentially influence five behavioural traits, and how heritable these behaviours could be.
Key findings:
The five behavioural traits showed low heritability but strong genetic correlations, with 20 genomic regions identified for the traits.
GALNT13, KCNJ3, PPM1L, SCAMP1, UGCG, DOCK1, and LHFPL2 - many of which are involved in neural messaging and cellular communication - showed promising associations with these traits.
What it means for you:
This one is a little more abstract in its relation to the industry, but it is worth considering that there could be a genetic component to a horse's behaviour.
#4. Young, fertile, racemares the preferred pick for commercial studs
What’s it about?
A team from Massey University examined the demographic and reproductive characteristics of 366 Thoroughbred broodmares from five commercial New Zealand stud farms to better understand the shape of the New Zealand breeding industry.
Key findings:
71.9% of the mares raced before going to stud, with 26.5% of them imported to New Zealand (the vast majority from Australia) for the purpose. The mare population was relatively young, with a median age of nine.
Five stallions were responsible for 27% of the mares, but inbreeding estimates for the population were quite low.
What it means for you:
This study is an interesting window into the actual figures behind the New Zealand commercial breeding industry and how and when mares enter stud.
#5. New method for differentiating pharyngeal collapse shows promise
What’s it about?
A duo from the University of Calgary explore how well a new classification system for differentiating between nasopharyngeal collapse (NPC) and laryngopharyngeal collapse (LPC) aids consensus on diagnosis. Using retrospective analysis of horses previously diagnosed with pharyngeal collapse, two raters then independently assessed endoscopy images using the proposed grading system.
Key findings:
Similar frequencies of NPC and LPC were observed, and there was good to very good agreement between the two raters for NPC, whereas it was moderate to good for LPC.
Mares and foals in New Zealand | Image courtesy of New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association
What it means for you:
This study demonstrates that the proposed new system for telling these two pathologies apart has a lot of promise, which could make a transition into everyday practice in the future. In turn, this could potentially help increase the likelihood for horses being treated or managed for the right pathology quicker.
