1 August 2019 Horse&Hound
21SeeArnie’stransition
fromracetrackto
showringNEXT
WEEKWith some careful changes
to management routines,
ex-racehorses can have a
successful second career.
Saint Are (pictured) has
now turned to showingA SECOND CHANCE
NATIONAL Hunt hero Saint Are
was twice placed in the Grand
National before retirement from
racing last year. Now based with
Justine Armstrong-Small, “Arnie”
has started a successful second
career in showing. We’ve stripped
him off to highlight potential
problem areas for other former
racehorses...
- LIMBS, JOINTS, FEET
CONFORMATIONAL problems
can give rise to racing injuries. Flat
front feet with low heels increase
the risk of tendon injuries, due to
strain on the back of the leg, while
offset knees, “back at the knee”
conformation and long pasterns
can all put extra pressure on joints.
In skeletally immature animals,
such as young Flat racehorses,
repetitive training can lead to
sore shins and stress fractures
— commonly to the tibia or
pelvis. These generally heal with
conservative management and
time out of training and, once
resolved, are unlikely to cause
future issues for ex-racehorses.
Acute subchondral bone pain
can cause distension (swelling)
of the fetlock joint, which can be
difficult to identify on radiographs
(X-rays). Chronic subchondral
bone injury can lead to a “pottery”
way of going and cause a “bunny-
hopping” action at canter. These
injuries often create less concern
in a different discipline, but can
lead to osteoarthritis.
Adaptations to bone
within joints can manifest as
osteoarthritis, causing spurs and
extra bone, or chip fractures.
Pain can occur in all the carpal
(knee) joints but specifically in the
middle carpal joint of racehorses,
causing discomfort on knee
flexion and a shuffling gait. These
changes may settle over time.
The superficial flexor tendons
of the forelimb are the most
common site of tendon injury,
from mild inflammation to
overt tendinitis and tears within
the tendon. These injuries areoften career-ending and require
extensive rest and rehabilitation.
Fibrous areas are likely to remain
in the tendon and may rule out
strenuous activity like eventing.
Suspensory ligament injuries
are more common in NH horses
and may remain undetected until
the limb is grossly swollen or there
is associated lameness. Long-term
issues may arise, especially with
lots of schooling in an arena.- NECK AND SPINE
NECK issues commonly occur
in NH horses following falls.
Fractures are either catastrophic
or repair without lasting concerns,
so should not adversely affect
future athleticism.
Spine issues can be more
problematic. Impingement of the
dorsal spinous processes (kissing
spines) is not uncommon and may
interfere with retraining. Surgical
treatment may be necessary. - PELVIS
PELVIC stress fractures are
common in young Flat racehorses,
whereas traumatic pelvic injuries
can occur in NH horses. Pelvic
asymmetry, where the quarters
are not muscled to the same
degree (best viewed from behind),
can occur following injury.
This is unlikely to cause further
problems once resolved, unless
the asymmetry is very marked. - FEET
A COMBINATION of genetic
conformation and inadequate
hoof care means that many
thoroughbreds have poor feet.
Long toes and low heels contribute
to lameness, notably superficial
digital flexor tendon (SDFT)
concerns, but primary foot pain is
also a problem as thoroughbreds
have thin soles which are
susceptible to bruising and corns.
Feet can be improved with
good balance and heel support,
along with the use of hoof pads
and putty, in appropriate cases. - WIND
MINOR respiratory issues in
training, such as infections and
dust allergies, can cause loss of
performance. This is of milder
concern in less demanding
disciplines, and inflammatory
airway disease from allergens can
be managed well.
Other wind problems include
laryngeal paralysis and bleeding
from the nose when galloped
(exercise-induced pulmonary
haemorrhage). While few
ex-racehorses will reach the
athletic and respiratory capacity
for wind conditions to be an issue,
further investigation is wise if
you hope to event the horse at
higher levels.
6. DIGESTION
A DENTAL examination is a
must, as is a faecal worm egg
count if a de-worming history is
not available. Ask your vet
about an appropriate
management programme.
Racehorses in training are
prone to gastric ulcers, due to a
diet of high-cereal feed, minimal
forage and lack of grazing. The
only accurate method of diagnosis
is gastroscopy, to examine
the stomach lining. Targeted
treatment can then be given, with
dietary and management changes,
which should resolve the ulcers
and help prevent further issues.
7. BEHAVIOUR
STEREOTYPICAL behaviours
(box walking, windsucking, crib-
biting or weaving) may be present,
but often become less severe
once the horse is removed from
the training environment. Even
so, some ex-racehorses can be
temperamentally unsuitable for
some new homes. H&H
3
4
6
Viewing the horse from behind
may reveal pelvic asymmetryDRSUSANNA BALLINGER
MRCVS is an RCVS advanced
practitioner in equine
practice and veterinary
director at Ballinger Equine.
She is also an FEI-permitted
treating veterinarian and
an accredited racecourse
veterinary surgeon. Formerly
an assistant trainer, Susanna
maintains her interest in Flat
racing and bloodstock — she
has two horses in training and
two set for rehab in showing
and eventing. 01462 414008,
ballingerequine.comTHE VET