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    The effect of feeding and management on faecal pH of the New Zealand Thoroughbred racehorse : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree Master of Applied Science in Equine Nutrition at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2006) Williamson, Anita
    Quantifying the risk factors for hindgut acidosis is the first step in understanding the problems of poor management and feeding practices of horses in race training. A non-invasive measure of hindgut acidosis can be obtained by measuring faecal pH (Davie et al., 2000; Eastwood, 2002; Rowe et al., 1995; Zeyner et aL, 2004; Zeyner et al., 1992; Zeyner. 1993). In this study fourteen 3-year-old Thoroughbreds in regular race training, ten Thoroughbred yearlings aged 13-15 months and 140 Thoroughbred horses of mixed aged in race training were surveyed. Approximately 200g±5g of faeces per horse was obtained from all faecal masses in the horse's stable or yard at the time of collection. Faecal pH was measured using a commercial pH meter. The study was divided into three experiments; experiment one consisted of fourteen Thoroughbreds within the same racing stable and identified that subtle change in diet, management, and workload had no effect on mean faecal pH during an 83 day observation period. Experiment two, identified gender, between day or time of faecal collection and the amount of concentrate offered (kg), total feed weight and roughage to concentrate ratio of the diet had no significant effect on the faecal pH of ten Thoroughbred yearlings undergoing sales preparation. However there was considerable variation in faecal pH between horses. Experiment three surveyed 140 Thoroughbred horses under the management of 16 racehorse trainers. Trainer age, number of years training horses, horse age, horse gender, weeks in raee training or racing class had no effect on mean faecal pH. Acidic faecal pH (pH≤6.32) was associated with small stables (1-12 horses). Trainers from small stables offered more concentrate feed than larger stables (13+ horses). Acidic pH was associated with trainers that offered grain as the only form of concentrated feed, or offered ≤2.25kg hay/day, and horses that were fast eaters. Horses that displayed stereotypic behaviours had more alkaline faecal pH than horses that never expresses stable vices (6.70± 0.35 vs. 6.43± 0.29). The total weight of concentrates offered, feed frequency, bedding type, exercise workload and the number of hour's horses were at pasture had no effect on mean faecal pH.
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    Equine gastric ulcer syndrome in New Zealand racehorses : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Veterinary Science at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2006) Bell, Robin Joseph Wallace
    Aims To establish the prevalence of gastric ulcers in New Zealand racehorses. Methods A prevalence study was conducted during 2003 and 2004 in New Zealand. One hundred and seventy one horses from 24 trainers across New Zealand were examined with gastroscopy as part of the study. Images of the examination were recorded and reviewed. The stomachs were assigned an ordinal score based on the severity of the gastric ulceration present. Results There were 171 horses in the study: 133 Thoroughbreds and 38 Standardbreds. One hundred and fifty one (88.3%) of these had evidence of EGUS. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of ulceration between the two breeds (p=0.51) or between horses of differing ages (p=0.56). There were 141 horses kept at pasture for at least four hours per day, of these 125 (89%) had EGUS. Thirteen horses were kept at pasture full time and all of these had EGUS. Seventeen horses were stabled full time and 16 (94.1%) of these had EGUS. There was no significant difference between the different housing groups and the prevalence or severity of EGUS (p=0.33 and 0.13 respectively), and there was no significant difference in the severity of gastric ulceration (p=0.12) between the horses grazed on different pasture qualities. There was no significant difference in the prevalence (p=0.26) or severity (p=0.49) of gastric ulceration based on the duration of training. Conclusions The prevalence of EGUS in New Zealand racehorses is similar to that reported elsewhere for horses in active race training. The type of turnout that these horses receive does not appear to be protective for EGUS. Clinical relevance Pasture turnout alone may not be protective against EGUS in racehorses that are in active training. Gastric ulceration is a common problem in New Zealand racehorses and may be a cause of decreased performance in these animals.
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    Investigation into the influence of yearling sale production parameters on the future career longevity and success of New Zealand thoroughbred race horses : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Agricultural Science (equine) at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2011) Waldron, Kristi Louise
    Few studies have investigated the influence of yearling sale production parameters on racing performance of Thoroughbred horses. The aim of this study was to quantify the impact of yearling sales parameters, in particular dam (mare) age at the time of conception, on future career success and longevity in a population of Thoroughbred racehorses in New Zealand. A retrospective cohort study was used to investigate racing success and longevity in a population of Thoroughbred horses in New Zealand, over eight and a half racing seasons. Retrospective records of the 2002 born Thoroughbred foals in New Zealand were obtained from the New Zealand Bloodstock (NZB) online database and the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) database. Logistic regression models using the binary outcomes trial, race and prize money earned were analysed with exposure variables. Cox regression survival analysis was used to investigate the association between the number of race starts and the time to cessation of racing. Linear regression was preformed to assess the effect of exposure variables with the outcome measure prize money earned (ln, $NZ). A total of 513 horses ran in 8,261 flat races, in New Zealand, during the study period. Of all the horses that had at least one race start (n=513), the median number of race starts per horse was twelve (IQR 5-22). The age of a horse’s dam (mare) at the time of conception was not significantly associated with; 1) her progeny obtaining a trial or race start, 2) her progeny racing and earning >$1 prize money, 3) the amount of prize money earned by her progeny, and 4) longevity of her progeny’s career. Female horses had less race starts during their career (P=0.019) compared to male horses. The median number of race starts for a female was eleven (95% C.I 9-14) whereas, the median number of race starts for a male was thirteen (95% C.I. 10-15). Horses catalogued in the select session were more likely to earn prize money (P=0.029) ii compared to horses catalogued in the premier session. Horses catalogued in the festival session were more likely to cease racing compared to horses catalogued in the premier session (P=0.018). The median number of race starts for a horse catalogued in the premier session was ten (95% C.I. 8-14) compared to fourteen (95% C.I. 12-16) for the select session and ten (95% C.I. 8-13) for the festival session. Horses that had started in a trial were more likely to start in a race (P<0.001) and earn prize money (P<0.001) compared to horses that had not started in a trial. As the number of years racing increased the likelihood of a horse ceasing racing decreased (p<0.001). Linear regression showed that total career starts was the greatest predictor in determining the amount of prize money a horse will earn. Horses that had more than twenty-five race starts were more likely to earn more prize money (ln) compared to horses that had less than twenty-five race starts (P<0.001). The results of this study highlight associations, or lack thereof, between yearling sales parameters and outcome measures of performance and may influence the future buyer behaviour in the New Zealand Thoroughbred market.
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    The association of 2-year-old training milestones with racing performance in standardbred and thoroughbred horses in New Zealand : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science in Animal Science, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2011) Tanner, Jasmine Claire
    This thesis includes epidemiological studies conducted to measure the association between the attainment of training milestones by Standardbred and Thoroughbred horses at two years of age and subsequent racing performance. Additionally, the quantification of racing performance is comprehensively reviewed to identify robust parameters to measure racing success. Retrospective records of all Standardbred and Thoroughbred horses born in the 2001/2002 season were obtained and analysed separately. The three training milestones used were: registered with a trainer, trialled and raced. Racing performance outcomes were: length of career, in number of years raced and number of race starts, and total earnings. Horses that were registered with a trainer, trialled, or raced as two-year-olds had more race starts and more years racing than those horses that achieved the milestones at a later age. Additionally, horses that achieved the training milestones as two-year-olds were more likely to win or be placed (first-to-third) in a race, and earned more money than horses that achieved the milestones at a later age. Approximately one-third of the horses born in both the Standardbred and Thoroughbred foal crop failed to achieve the first training milestone indicating high levels of wastage. The results of this thesis suggest that there is a strong association between the attainment of training milestones at two years old with positive career outcomes.
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    Epidemiological studies of early exercise and measures of training and racing performance in thoroughbred racehorses : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Veterinary Epidemiology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2011) Bolwell, Charlotte Frances
    This thesis includes a series of epidemiological studies conducted to quantify the exercise regimens of Thoroughbred yearlings during their sales preparation and 2- and 3-year-old race training. Additionally, this thesis aims to establish if there are associations between the exercise regimens and training and racing performance at two years of age. Cross-sectional and cohort studies quantified the components of the exercise regimens used during sales preparation on stud farms in New Zealand. Exercise was a common practice during sales preparation. The type and amount of exercise was often tailored to individual horses. Overall, exercise varied by gender, the month of preparation, and between farms indicating that the exposure to exercise during sales preparation was not the same for all horses. Survival analysis identified different horse and exercise risk factors for voluntary, involuntary, and musculoskeletal interruptions during training. Specifically, there were strong associations between increased total hand walking time and reduced chance of voluntary interruptions, and more time walking on a mechanical walker increased the risk of involuntary interruptions. Other horse and training factors, such as trainer, gender, age at the start of training, and the distance accumulated at canter and high speed, were associated with the time to interruptions during training. Interruptions before the first trial were associated with an increased time to the first trial or race and a decreased chance of starting in a trial. Accumulating shorter distances and fewer events at high speed were both associated with a decreased chance of a trial or race start. Longer distances accumulated at high speed were associated with a decreased time to the first trial. No associations were found between the exercise accumulated during sales preparation and the time to the first trial during training. Overall, the exercise accumulated during sales preparation was associated with a measure of training performance, whilst the timing of interruptions and the accumulation of exercise during training have implications for reaching important training and racing milestones. The results of this thesis indicate that current exercise regimens could be modified to enhance the training and racing performance of Thoroughbred racehorses.