ENDURANCE
Descriptive epidemiology and risk factors for lameness and orthopaedic injuries resulting in eliminations from elite endurance rides
Lameness is the most common cause of elimination from endurance rides. The overall aim of this large scale world-wide research study is to improve the welfare of endurance horses and to provide data on which regulations can be based.
This study will document the frequency of occurrence of elimination for lameness from FEI endurance rides. It will also identify risk factors for elimination for lameness and specific orthopaedic injuries resulting in elimination for lameness or lameness occurring within one week of the ride. To enable us to compare eliminations and causes of lameness in different countries, at this stage we only include FEI rides in the study, because they are run under the same regulations globally.
To complete this study, we need the help of officials, team vets, ride organisers and riders, whose contribution will be invaluable. Analysis of data obtained from different countries (e.g. different weather conditions, terrain) will provide objective results that can aid the work of riders, trainers and officials responsible for regulations, and ultimately improve the welfare of endurance horses and the public perception of the endurance discipline.
We thank you in advance for your contribution to this study. Please check this website for regular updates and interim results and contact Annamaria Nagy (annamaria.nagy@aht.org.uk) if you have any questions, remarks or suggestions.
