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THOROUGHBRED HORSES
Understanding Leg Fatigue Fractures in Thoroughbred Horses – fact sheet
Published: 18 Sep 2013
Publication Code: 13-058
Author(s): Whitton, Chris , Mackie, Eleanor, Anderson, Garry , Mirams, Michiko , Ghasem-Zadeh, Ali , Seeman, Ego
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Project Overview
Pathogenesis of distal limb breakdown injuries in Thoroughbred Racehorses
1 May 2007 – 28 February 2011
This project examined differences in bone microstructure and metabolism between horses that suffered catastrophic fractures and those that did not. This provides baseline information for the development of clinical screening for and prevention of fracture risk among racehorses.
Catastrophic fatigue fractures of the distal limb are the most common cause of racetrack fatalities. Early detection of fatigue injury and the development of training strategies that reduce the risk of injury will therefore have a significant positive impact on the racing industry.
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