Four key health risks for racehorses – and how they can be minimised
Chasemore Farm stretches across 340 acres of leafy Surrey countryside just outside London. On a warm midsummer day, small groups of foals and their mothers graze peacefully in the sunshine, flicking their tails lazily at flies. It’s an idyllic scene – but these aren’t just any foals. Bred for speed, stamina and glory, they’re future competitors in some of the world’s most prestigious horse races, where the stakes are high and the prize money even higher.
Like elite human athletes, these young thoroughbreds face significant health risks as part of their sporting careers. So, what exactly are the key risks for racehorses – and how can they be minimised?
It’s no surprise that the health of bones, joints, and muscles is critical for a racehorse, especially one built to run fast and jump far. Injuries to these systems are the most common threat to their performance, often limiting their careers or ending them entirely.
Bone, in particular, plays a central role – and it’s far more dynamic than many people realise. It isn’t inert; it adapts constantly to the forces it........© The Conversation
