Crawford Kylie L, Finnane Anna, Greer Ristan M, Phillips Clive J C, Woldeyohannes Solomon M, Perkins Nigel R, Ahern Benjamin J
School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton 4343, Australia.
School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston 4006, Australia.
Animals (Basel). 2021 Jan 11;11(1):142. doi: 10.3390/ani11010142.
There is international public concern regarding retirement of racehorses, including the reason for retirement and the outcome for horses after racing. However, there are currently no prospective studies investigating these factors. A recent independent inquiry in Queensland, Australia, highlighted that the true outcomes for horses after retirement from racing are largely unknown. Furthermore, there are currently no measures to monitor the outcome for racehorses and their welfare once they have left the care of the trainer. This study investigated these gaps in knowledge through a weekly survey conducted over a 13-month period. We aimed to evaluate: (1) the incidence of retirement, (2) the reasons and risk factors for retirement and (3) the medium-term (greater than 6 months) outcomes for horses after retirement. Data were collected through personal structured weekly interviews with participating trainers and analysed using negative binomial and logistic regression. There was a low incidence of retirements, namely 0.4% of horses in training per week. The season and training track did not affect the incidence of retirement. Musculoskeletal injuries were the most common reason for retirement (40/110 horses, 36%). Involuntary retirements accounted for 56/100 (51%) of retirements, whereby musculoskeletal injuries, respiratory or cardiac conditions and behavioural problems prevented the horse from racing The odds of voluntary retirement, whereby the horse was retired due to racing form or impending injury, increased with each additional race start (OR 1.05; = 0.01) and start/year of racing (OR 1.21; = 0.03) but decreased with increasing percentage of first, second and third places (OR 0.94; < 0.001). Medium-term follow-up (median 14 months, IQR 11, 18, range 8-21) revealed that most horses (108/110; 98%) were repurposed after retirement, almost half as performance horses (50/110; 46%). Horses that voluntarily retired had 2.28 times the odds of being repurposed as performance horses than those retired involuntarily ( = 0.03). Whether retirement was voluntary or involuntary did not influence whether horses were used for breeding or pleasure. The primary limitation of this study is that our results reflect retirement in racehorses in South East Queensland, Australia, and may not be globally applicable. Furthermore, we were unable to monitor the long-term outcome and welfare of horses in their new careers. It is vital that the industry is focused on understanding the risks for voluntary rather than involuntary retirement and optimising the long-term repurposing of horses. There is a need for traceability and accountability for these horses to ensure that their welfare is maintained in their new careers.
国际社会对赛马退役问题表示关注，包括退役原因以及赛马退役后的归宿。然而，目前尚无前瞻性研究对这些因素进行调查。澳大利亚昆士兰州最近的一项独立调查强调，赛马退役后的真实归宿在很大程度上尚不清楚。此外，目前没有措施来监测赛马离开训练师照料后的归宿及其福利状况。本研究通过为期13个月的每周一次的调查，对这些知识空白进行了调查。我们旨在评估：（1）退役发生率；（2）退役原因和风险因素；（3）赛马退役后的中期（超过6个月）归宿。数据通过与参与调查的训练师进行每周一次的个人结构化访谈收集，并使用负二项式和逻辑回归进行分析。退役发生率较低，即每周训练马匹中的0.4%。赛季和训练赛道对退役发生率没有影响。肌肉骨骼损伤是退役的最常见原因（110匹马中有40匹，占36%）。非自愿退役占退役马匹的56/100（51%），其中肌肉骨骼损伤、呼吸或心脏疾病以及行为问题导致马匹无法参赛。因比赛成绩或即将受伤而退役的自愿退役马匹的几率，随着参赛次数的增加（优势比1.05；P = 0.01）和每年参赛次数的增加（优势比1.21；P = 0.03）而增加，但随着获得第一名、第二名和第三名的百分比增加而降低（优势比0.94；P < 0.001）。中期随访（中位数14个月，四分位间距11, 18，范围8 - 21）显示，大多数马匹（110匹中的108匹；98%）在退役后被重新利用，近一半作为表演用马（110匹中的50匹；46%）。自愿退役的马匹被重新用作表演用马的几率是非自愿退役马匹的2.28倍（P = 0.03）。退役是自愿还是非自愿并不影响马匹是否用于繁殖或娱乐。本研究的主要局限性在于，我们的结果反映的是澳大利亚昆士兰州东南部赛马的退役情况，可能不适用于全球。此外我们无法监测马匹在新职业生涯中的长期归宿和福利状况。至关重要的是，该行业应专注于了解自愿退役而非非自愿退役的风险，并优化马匹的长期重新利用。需要对这些马匹进行可追溯性管理并追究责任，以确保它们在新职业生涯中的福利得到保障。
