By Emma Berry
Kentucky Equine Research (KER) is seeking Thoroughbred breeders to participate in a research project into the link between foal size and subsequent soundness and performance in the racehorse.
The project is an expansion of a pilot study conducted by Dr. Joe Pagan of KER, in which data was collated from 318 foals from six commercial Thoroughbred farms detailing the relationship between weight and height of foals and spring radiographs. (Click here for a piece on Dr. Pagan and his foal growth study by T.D. Thornton). The foals were weighed and measured each month by technicians from Kentucky-based Hallway Feeds. KER also works in partnership with Saracen Horse Feeds in Europe. (Click here to participate in the Saracen research study).
Conclusions drawn from the pilot include the fact that incidence of OCD and sesamoiditis are associated to varying degrees with a foal's body weight and height during growth, and that, though sesamoiditis in yearlings is a negative factor at the sales, it does not appear to have a negative affect on racing performance. Of the developmental disorders measured, stifle OCD was found to have the biggest negative impact on both sales price and racing careers.
Polly Bonnor, director of Saracen Horse Feeds, said, “We need as much data as possible to have larger populations for statistical significance, and to fully appreciate the regional, environmental and seasonal differences in the findings. This way, we can try to examine how at-risk foals can be identified earlier, and whether management and feeding practices can be modified to reduce the incidence of problems. Gender differences can be investigated alongside the month of birth, and international variations in where and how they were raised can be studied to better understand the effects of climate and seasonality. Dr. Pagan's goal is to recognise factors affecting growth and disease internationally, and to help us to apply that knowledge to raise better racehorses.”
She added, “I will be coordinating with European breeders, Megan Garzillo from Hallway Feeds will be doing the same with breeders in the U.S., and Peter Huntington from KER will be liaising with Australian breeders. Farms can get involved without being Saracen or Hallway clients—if they weigh and measure their young stock and have the relevant radiographs, then they can play a part.”
It is intended that the findings will be presented at the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association's annual seminar in Newmarket in the summer of 2021.
For further information on the study, or to become involved in the project, breeders can contact Dr. Joe Pagan on pagan@ker.com or Polly Bonnor on Polly.Bonnor@SaracenHorseFeeds.co.uk.
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