• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.190-194
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• 2018

Recently, the horse racing industry in Korea has developed rapidly with good betting turnover. One of the most important factors in enhancing the performance of racehorses is the study of equine exercise physiology. This study was performed to analyze the results of pre-race blood test on race day and evaluate its correlation with the race performance in Thoroughbred racehorses. Twenty-one, healthy 3- to 6-year-old Thoroughbred horses were used to collect blood samples and hematological and biochemical measurements were performed. Results were analyzed to identify its correlation with racing performance. Analysis of hematological profile of pre-race blood of the racehorses revealed that red blood cell indices including RBC, Hb, and PCV levels were elevated. Additionally, levels of AP, AST, and GGT were also elevated in pre-race blood of horses on race day. RBC, Hb, and PCV levels of high performance racehorses were significantly lower than those of low class racehorses. Moreover, the analysis of correlation between blood test results and racing ability-related categories have shown negative correlations for rating, placing strike rate, prize money per race, RBC, Hb, and PCV and positive correlations for G3F and PCV. Additionally, AST value was positively correlated to prize money per race. Thus, the results of this study show that red blood cell indices and AST are good parameters for evaluating racing performance of horses before the race.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.427-431
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• 1998

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage(EIPH) on the finishing position of racehorses, 400 bleeders(305: 1 time, 76: 2 times, 19: 3 times, total: 514 cases) which had bled(EIPH) from their nostrils after their races at the Seoul racecourse during the 5 years period('93-'97) were analyzed for this study. The ratio of bleeders to total racehorses in finishing position 1-3,4-6, 7-9 or above 10 was 0.55, 0.84, 0.90 or 1.13%, respectively. There is tendency to higher incidence of bleeding in the later positioned racehorses group. To analyze the correlation between EIPH and finishing position, finishing potion of each EIPHed horses' was checked at 7 successive races(3 races each before/after EIPH. The average final position at the -3rd race, -2nd racer -lst racer EIPHed race, 1st race,2nd race and 3rd race of each bleeder was 5.85. 5.94, 6.21, 7.32, 7.20, 6.51 and 6.53, respectively. Raring times were adjusted to 1,000 m equivalent. Average racing times of the -3rd race,-2nd racer -lst raced EIPHed race, 1st race, 2nd race and 3rd race of each bleeder was 67.1, 67.1, 67.2, 67.6, 67.5, 67.4 and 67.3 second, respectively. Bleeders which finished the race within 1 second following the winners were 25. 3% of total bleeders. The rest 74.7% reached at the finish line 1 second later than the winners. Particularly 46.3% of bleeders were above 2 second later. Therefore this study suggested that bleeding has effect on performance of the racehorse, consequently it make bleeders be placed later positions.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.62-67
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• 2019

This study was performed to apply the measurement of heart rate and velocity in training horses for assessing race performance. Additionally, we aimed to identify parameters that can be used to evaluate the training level and exercise capacity. Eleven healthy 2- to 6-year-old Thoroughbreds were trained by the standard training program and heart rate and velocity were measured by using heart monitoring system and GPS. Regression analysis in heart rate and velocity data was performed to calculate velocity parameters. The mean maximal heart rate in gallop was $214{\pm}11bpm$. The mean $V_{140}$, $V_{180}$, $V_{200}$ and $VHR_{max}$ were $13.8{\pm}4.3km/h$, $37.5{\pm}3.8km/h$, $49.3{\pm}4.3km/h$ and $57.4{\pm}7.1km/h$ respectively. The mean $V_{140}$ of high performance racehorses was significantly higher than that of low performance racehorses (P < 0.05). Moreover, analyzing the correlation between velocity parameters and racing ability-related categories showed that $V_{140}$ was positively correlated with rating (P < 0.05), $V_{180}$ and $VHR_{max}$ were positively correlated with prize money per race (P < 0.05). Also, $V_{140}$ was significantly correlated with G1F (P < 0.05). The results of this study have shown that the measurement of heart rate and velocity during training could be useful methods to assess fitness for races or performance potential. Especially, $V_{140}$ is a good parameter to evaluate a performance of racehorses in Korea.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.278-281
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• 2014

The object of this study was to determine rate of ability restoration after arthroscopic surgeries in Thoroughbred racehorses. The racehorses that under arthroscopic surgery due to be injured his limbs were studied during exercise or training at Busan Race Park from 2005 to 2010. Rate of arthroscopic surgical treatments was 1.4% (63/4642). The results of arthroscopic surgery for the removal of osteochondral fragments from 70 limbs in 63 horses are reported. Number of patients under arthroscopic surgery were 63 and 58 horses were recovered from the surgeries and 5 horses were in training or resting at the time of publication. Only 52 of 58 horses had previous race experiences before the surgeries. Success horses of returned to the same level of performance were 31 horses (59.6%) and failed horses were 21 horses (40.4%). Average resting periods in success and failed horses were 7 months and 8.8 months, respectively. Resting periods in success horses were shorter than failed horses.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.571-573
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• 2011

The primary means of heat dissipation in horse results from the evaporation of sweat. Anhidrosis refers to a decreased ability or loss of ability to sweat in response to appropriate stimuli. This disease is fatal and causes poor performance, increased body temperature, collapse, convulsion and even death. There are some reports about this disease abroad but not in Korea. We performed intradermal epinephrine test to investigate the prevalence of anhidrosis in Thoroughbred racehorses (n=50). The prevalence was 22% and it was similar to that of other countries. There does not appear to be sex, foaling country, coat color, age or pedigree of dam predispositions. In this study, we found the presence of anhidrosis in Korea. Anhidrosis should be prevented for economical purposes and general animal welfare.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.741-746
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• 2008

The objective of this study was to estimate the effects of change in body weight on racing time in Thoroughbred racehorses, using total 8,197 horses and 155,656 racing records collected from Korea Racing Association(KRA). The average body weight of the racehorses was 449kg, and the average body weights of stallion, gelding and mare were 460kg, 454kg and 441kg, respectively. Body weight of stallion was the greatest. The considerable loss of body weight was observed in March, April and May for mare, and in May, Jun and July for stallion and gelding. Overall, the body weight of the racehorses decreased in spring and summer, and increased in autumn and winter. The estimated heritability and repeatability for racing time were 0.237 and 0.525, respectively. The heritability for body weight estimated from total records was 0.612. The estimated heri- tabilities for body weight were 0.472, 0.578 and 0.555 for gelding, stallion and mare, respectively. As the change of body weight was greater than ±10kg, the racing time increased significantly. When the body weight changed more than ±20kg in comparison to the changes of body weight of ±5kg, the racing time increased by 0.3 second. When the change of body weight was ±0.5% of body weight, the racing time was the best(fastest). When the change of body weight was more than ±2.5%, racing performance decreased considerably.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.417-426
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• 1998

During the 5 years period(93-197) of Seoul racecourse Thoroughbred racing, 2i963 holies took an active part in Seoul Racecourse and 61,181 horses entered the racing.400 horses(305 : 1 time, 76 :2 times, 19 :3 times, total : 514 cases) had bled(EIPH) from their nostils after their races. Incidence of bleeding horses from the 21963 racehorses was 13.5%, and incidence of bleeding cases from the 61,181 horses was 0.84%. The average racing frequence (1.05 times/1 month) of bleeders was more than that(0.8 times/1 month) of total race-horses. There was tendency to higher incidence of bleeding at older in age, female in sex, England/ Ireland horses in origin, higher grade in performances heavier in body weight increased, larger in weight to be carried, mid or longer in racing distance, handicap race, spring in season. Relationship did not exist between bleeding and respiratory disease. These results suggested that frequent entering into the race should be controlled. And body weight regulation with conditioning is recommended far reducing incidence of EIPH. It is supposed to prevent bleeding that decrescent performance horses should not be entering long distance or handicap race.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.1041-1050
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• 2009

Equine respiratory disease is a common cause of poor performance and training interruptions. The higher incidence rate of infectious upper respiratory disease (IURD) in thoroughbred racehorses at the Seoul Race Park coincided with the frequent stabling season, shorter stabling periods, and younger ages in this study. Incidence rates were also correlated with significantly lower proportions of cells expressing MHC class II-, CD2 antigen-, $CD4^+$- or $CD8^+$-T lymphocyte-, and B lymphocyte in IURD patients compared with healthy control groups in the summer and fall and in 2-and-3-year-old groups. The data suggested that movement and new environments may have resulted in immunosuppression and inappropriate responses to respiratory pathogens in IURD patients. The IURD incidence decreased with age, perhaps by the acquisition of immunity, and study results suggested that immunologic protection was associated with IURD, particularly in young thoroughbred racehorses. Streptococci isolates were identified in 11 of 72 IURD horses, and 3 of these isolates were identified as Streptococcus. equi subsp. equi. S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus was isolated from 2 of 23 IURD horses in the spring (8.7%), 5 of 23 in the summer (21.7%), and 1 of 6 in winter (16.7%). S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus (5%) was also identified in 3 of 61 isolates from clinically normal horses. Racetracks should implement anti-IURD protective measures by assessing the capacity of equine immunologic protection at the Park and by limiting the introduction of specific respiratory pathogens (such as S. equi subsp. equi) by preventing the access of infected but subclinical horses with a specified respiratory pathogen-free certification system prior to Park entry.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.81.1-81.12
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• 2023

Background: The incidence of colic and the outcomes of colic surgery have not been surveyed in racetracks in Korea. Objectives: This study examined the incidence, mortality, and case fatality of colic and investigated the effects of age and sex after an exploratory celiotomy on the long-term survival rate (return to racing), subsequent racing performance, and career longevity. Methods: The incidence, mortality, and case fatalities of colic were examined over an 11-year period. The records of 40 horses that had undergone a celiotomy, after participating in at least one race and 75 race-matched control horses were analyzed. The racing performance and career length of the horses that returned to racing post-surgery were compared with a control group. Results: The annual incidence, fatality rate of colic, and annual mortality rate at Seoul Racecourse were 6.5, 2.8 per 100 horse-years, and 0.2 deaths cases per 100 horse-years, respectively. Of the 40 horses that underwent colic surgery, 26 (65%) returned to racing. The likelihood of returning to racing decreased with increasing age of the horses, and geldings had a lower probability of returning. While the performance in the five preoperative races between the two groups was not significantly different, a significant decrease in racing performance was observed after the surgery date (p < 0.01). Horses that underwent colic surgery did not show a significant decrease in career length. Conclusions: Surgical treatment for colic at the age of three and four years had a negative impact on the racing performance. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in career longevity between the two groups.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.464-467
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• 2023

The autonomic regulation of heart rate (HR) is an indicator of the body's ability to adapt to an exercise stimulus. However, there are no reports on this topic in relation to Jeju horses used for racing. The aim of this study was to analyze the HR responses of Jeju horses during race trials and to investigate the correlation between HR and performance in these horses. HR data were collected from 17 healthy 2- to 7-year-old Jeju horses wearing HR monitors during race trials. Pearson correlation coefficients was used to determine the significance of the association between the race trial time and HR. A significant inverse correlation was observed between the race trial time (performance) and both the maximal HR (HRmax, r = -0.69, p < 0.01) and HR reserve (HRR) (HRmax - average HR during the warm-up period, r = -0.63, p < 0.01) and between the HRR and HRmax (r = 0.73, p < 0.01). Horses with a lower average HR during the warm-up period and higher heart rates during the trial achieved faster race trial times. This study reports the first HR measurements in Jeju horses during race trials, providing new insights into the HR response of this breed to exercise. The use of a noninvasive remote HR monitor system allowed assessment of exercise responses in the field, and the results suggest that both the HRR during warm-up period and HRmax may be useful performance indicators in Jeju horses.