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In this section:
- Racing (gallops)
-
Racing (harness)
In Steeplechase racing
the horse is raced over
hurdles
or steeplechase
fences, as
a result
of this the
horse will
be faced with varying
degrees of stress on
their joints, depending on the
type of jumps
used. In
both these disciplines
75 per cent of performance
problems will be
related
to tendon injuries.
This is not a surprise,
bearing
in mind
a horses weight over
a hurdle
at 35 mph, which will
put a
great deal
of
strain
on the front
legs.
In flat racing
horses are not so prone to
tendon injuries,
but suffer
more
with joint
problems,
particularly in the
younger and under-developed
two
and three
year olds. Any degree
of lameness caused
by either
tendon or joint problems,
will
have an effect higher
up in the horse's
spine, due to the compensatory
action the horse will
adopt to avoid
the acute
pain in
its limb.
Consequently back
problems can
often be
related
to a period of lameness,
and preventative chiropractic
treatment would be
beneficial to prevent
its onset.
Low grade
fractures are more
common in
flat racing
and
are usually
small chips
of bone
within a joint
which
can be
removed by surgical
procedures (eg slab
fractures of the knee,
where small
slices of
bone break
off from
the carpal
bone in the
knee joint).
More severe
fractures
will occur due to
physical trauma (eg
a fractured
shoulder due
to a kick or
falling
onto it
during a race, falls
while jumping
can
cause fractures in
the legs and the pelvis,
and fractures
to the
neck
vertebrae can occur
in a head first tumble).
The
younger horse undergoing
intensive training
regimes
can commonly
suffer hairline
fractures, which can
result in a complete
break
while out on
the morning gallops.
As in
the case of tendon
and joint injuries,
fractures
will also
cause varying
degrees of lameness,
which may result
in a
secondary back problem.
Chiropractic would
be
used strictly
under veterinary
supervision
and at a time when
the fracture has healed
sufficiently to allow
the treatment
to be beneficial.
Falls
over fences or on
the flat can
also
cause
subluxation
of
the cervical
vertebrae
in the
neck of the horse
and misalignment of
the withers and pelvis:
these are ideally
treated by Chiropractic.
More commonly half-falls
while jumping
or
slipping on heavy
going,
are the usual
reasons
for a chiropractor
to be brought in,
to check
a horse after racing.
These will result
in the pelvis
becoming "twisted" or
misaligned, and tension
building up in the
lumbar vertebrae (the
region located just
behind the saddle),
causing the horse
to move in a way
to compensate for
this discomfort. Young
flat racers may also
suffer pelvic problems
related to coming
out of the stalls
at speed at the
beginning of a race.
As in all disciplines,
problems with badly
fitting tack
and an unbalanced
rider will
add to musculoskeletal
problems in
the horse.
In flat
racing half-tree saddles
and lightweight jockeys
are used
to reduce the
weight on the horses
back. However, these
saddles allow the
rider to sit directly
on the
spine of the
horse, hence
the reason
for
jockeys riding with
short
stirrups. Any unnecessary "bumping" down
onto the saddle will
cause calcified lumps
to form on the spine
as a result
of inflammation and
damage to the area.
In Steeplechase the
horse can be expected
to carry
a rider
of up
to 12 stone,
depending on
the type
of race.
As a
result, saddle weight
is dependent on the
weight of the rider
and can be
half or
full tree, depending
on the choice
of
the trainer.
Often
in the racing industry a saddle
is used on several
different
horses
ridden out by
one jockey,
so it is
not specifically
fitted to one horse.
This can lead to
saddle rubs and pressure
points
on some horses causing
them to work with
a hollow
back,
and leading
to back pain.
When jockeys ride
with short stirrups
they
are directing
their whole
weight towards
the wither
and over the
forelegs of the
horse. Bearing
in mind 60 per cent
of the horse's own
weight is on
the forehand,
it requires
extra balancing
on
the part
of the
horse, and
will cause more
stress around the
shoulder
and
wither
muscles. Short
stirrups
will also accentuate
any unlevelness
in the jockey's
own pelvis,
being directed
through
his seat bones
and legs
onto the horse's
back.
In summary, just as human sprinters or hurdlers receive regular treatment to avoid the occurance of injuery, the equine athlete should be veiwed in the same manner. Often the racehorse may require a course of up to 4 to 5 treatments before a race, especially if it has been involved in an accident for optimum racing performance, as well as a "post-race" check-up.
Regular maintenance ckecks are also advised to help maintain optimum health and performance.
Harness racing is
a form of
driving. The
Standardbred is
the breed used,
they can trot
or pace at high
speeds without
breaking into canter.
Pacing uses hobbles
or leg straps
to encourage the
movement of
front and
hind limbs on
the same side,
rather than
in diagonal pairs
as is the usual
trot gait.
Pacers will move
with a rolling
action
as the
weight is
shifted from side
to side,
and boots are
used to protect
more parts of
the horse's legs
during
racing.
The
overhead check
rein is used to
help
control
hard-pulling
horses
and to prevent
a horse
spooking at things
on the ground
in front of him.
As
with other driving
horses
this rein
can cause falls
on uneven
grass tracks
and will
cause
musculo-skeletal
problems to develop
at the
poll and withers.
These trotters
and pacers
must also
stay in a straight-line
to prevent collisions
with others
on
the track
or
running out at
the corners.
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