Hoof conformation and performance in the racing Thoroughbred in Macau. Issue 3 (19th December 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cust, ARE; Anderson, GA; Whitton, RC; Davies, HMS
• Is Part Of: Australian veterinary journal. Volume 91:Issue 3(2013)
• Page Start: 108
• Page End: 112
• Publication Date: 2012-12-19
• Subjects: Veterinary medicine -- Australia -- Periodicals; Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine -- Periodicals; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1111/avj.12012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0005-0423

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="avj12012-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p>To investigate associations between race performance and hoof–ground angle (HG), pastern–hoof angle (PH) and mediolateral hoof angle (ML) of the left forelimb.</p> </sec> <sec id="avj12012-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>A total of 1570 starts were recorded from 636 horses, and meetings were equally divided between sand and turf tracks. HG, PH and ML were measured on each starter in a race, over a 3‐month period, using a Finnegan hoof gauge (Tallahesse Asia Holdings Ltd, Hong Kong) and digital photographic images. Race performance was recorded as win or place (1st–3rd).</p> </sec> <sec id="avj12012-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>There was no association between the probability of winning or placing and gauge HG, photographic HG or photographic ML. There was a significant negative association between PH and the probability of winning on the turf track. On the turf surface, the odds ratio of winning for each 1° decrease in PH was 1.06 (95% confidence interval 1.01–1. 12). There was no association between the probability of winning or placing on the sand track and PH.</p> </sec> <sec id="avj12012-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions and clinical relevance</title> <p>Direct measures of hoof conformation (HG and ML) were not related to racehorse performance in Macau. Lower PH was associated with better performance on a turf track. Further investigation into factors affecting PH and why it is related to performance are warranted. This study demonstrated that PH was associated with performance on a turf track. This information may be useful in the management and selection of Thoroughbred racehorses.</p> </sec> </abstract>