Risk factors and elimination rates due to lameness in New Zealand endurance races

Abstract

Recently there have been a number of publications examining risk factors and elimination rates from endurance competitions. Several risk factors have been identified for elimination due to lameness. Although research has been done in many countries all over the world, there is little known about endurance competitions in New Zealand. Specific information about risk factors and elimination rates for lameness in New Zealand has never been researched before. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify and quantify the risk factors and elimination rates due to lameness during Endurance rides in New Zealand. This data should provide a reference point for comparison with data from other FEI endurance countries. Data from every endurance competition organised in New Zealand from September 2010 to March 2013 were downloaded from the Equestrian Sports of New Zealand website (www.nzequestrian.org.nz). When available, the following information was classified as variables within the database; ride location, date of the ride, ride level, ride distance, horse gender and horse age. The distribution of the number of horses that were eliminated due to lameness and the non-lame group of horses were assessed using a Chi-square test. Single table analysis was performed to calculate the association between the variables and the outcome of elimination due to lameness. Variables with values of P<0.21 were used for multivariable logistic regression. In total 4,168 horse entries were included. Of these, 3460 entries qualified for the ride (83%) and 542 entries got eliminated by veterinarians (13%), of which 412 were eliminated due to lameness. Major risk factors appear to be the variables ride distance and ride level. Rides during the National Championships are associated with increased risk as well. The overall elimination rate due to lameness was 10%, which is low in comparison with the rest of the World.