NEWS
Equine injury statistics to be analyzed before release
Posted: Wednesday, December 09, 2009 9:29 PM
by Frank Angst
Before statistics on equine breakdowns and injuries are released by the Jockey Club’s Equine Injury Database, they will be analyzed by an epidemiologist to provide perspective.
Tim Parkin, D.V.M., a senior fellow at the University of Glasgow, will examine North American racetrack injury statistics compiled from November 2008 through October '09. Epidemiology examines the factors that influence health and wellness. Parkin already has looked at injury statistics from the Hong Kong Jockey Club and steeplechase racing in England.
While Parkin’s examination of the Equine Injury Database statistics could slow any information release, the database’s veterinary consultant Mary Scollay, D.V.M., thinks epidemiology is a needed step. In April 2008, Scollay revised initial statistics on equine injuries that she had released a month earlier.
Scollay said currently every database injury statistic is being checked to make sure there are no problems such as duplicate reporting. The stats soon will be sent to Parkin, who will examine a variety of contributing factors to injuries and breakdowns.
Parkin and Scollay participated in a panel on collection and reporting of injury information on Wednesday at the Symposium on Racing and Gaming presented by the University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program.
When the revised statistics were released in '08, an emphasis was placed on reporting of injury rates for various surfaces. With several U.S. tracks moving to synthetic surfaces in recent years, there is interest in how those tracks are faring compared to traditional dirt surfaces.
Scollay said it is important to examine all possible injury factors, noting that no two surfaces are ever exactly alike, even if they are both turf surfaces or both dirt surfaces.
“There are no absolutes,” Scollay said.
In England, Parkin’s study determined that more tendon injuries occurred on firm turf compared to courses with more moisture. He eventually recommended watering measures that are now used. Parkin said it could be three or four years before he would be able to make similar recommendations in the U.S.
Some of the factors Parkin examined in his previous statistical study included training regimens, seasonal trends, track conditions related to weather, horses returned to racing after previous injuries, horse age, and level of racing conditions.
The Jockey Club database is collecting injury statistics from 83 tracks, accounting for 84% of North American racing. All tracks report injuries that occur during races, along with information about where the injury occurred on the track. Many tracks also are including injuries that occur in morning workouts if those injuries are catastrophic or require and ambulance run.
The numbers will not be linked to any specific track or trainer but will help determine industry-wide trends that individual tracks will be able to use for comparison. While the epidemiology process means Scollay can not project when any statistical numbers will be available for public review, she is committed to releasing the numbers.
“We have to respond to assertions with fact,” said Scollay, adding that radical animal rights groups have filled the void of scientific information. “The inability to respond has validated their assertions.”
Patti Strand, national director of the National Animal Interest Alliance, outlined the struggles of dog breeding in the U.S. after groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) targeted dog breeding practices. She encouraged racing to collect the data to properly frame positions.
“We’re in a propaganda war,” Strand said, encouraging Thoroughbred industry leaders to become the experts on safety issues. She said that would help prevent radical animal rights groups from exploiting problems within the industry.
Participation in the database is a requirement to be accredited by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance.
Frank Angst is senior writer at THOROUGHBRED TIMES
