• 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.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.297-301
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• 2011

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% (63/4,642). Affected bones were radius, radial carpal bone, third carpal bone, proximal phalanx, third metacarpal bone, femur, tibia, proximal sesamoid bone and intermediate carpal bone. The lesions were fracture, chip fracture, slap fracture, osteochonrosis, and osteochondrotitis dissencans. Number of patients under arthroscopic surgery were 63. Success horses of returned to racetrack or tried to return to racetrack were 58, and 5 horses were in training or resting at the time of publication. Success horses of returned to their previous use in the patients were 49 horses (84.4%) and no returned to the racetrack were 9 horses (15.6%) in 58 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.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.1677-1683
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• 2007

Physiological changes in thoroughbred racehorses during the race were investigated by measuring concentrations of metabolites and exercise-related hormones before and after a race. The conversion point from anaerobic to aerobic exercise during the race was estimated subsequently. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein of 53 thoroughbreds at different times -three h before and 45 min after- for measuring the concentrations of glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), lactate, uric acid, ammonia, insulin, adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) and cortisol according to the race distance. In accordance with the race distance, each metabolite increased in concentration compared with the level before the race. The level of glucose, in particular, increased from $56.18{\pm}3.20$ mg/dl before the race to $148.82{\pm}8.82$ mg/dl after the race for horses that raced 1,400 m, showing a significant increase of 165% (p<0.001). The concentration of NEFA rose from $76.77{\pm}5.59$ uEq/L to $335.85{\pm}35.39$ uEq/L, up 337% (p<0.01) after a 1,400 m race. Exercise-related hormones also showed similar changes. The level of insulin dropped the most in horses that raced 1,400 m, by 42%, from $0.97{\pm}0.18$ to $0.56{\pm}0.05\;{\mu}g/L$ (p<0.5); however, ACTH and cortisol jumped significantly at 1,800 m, from $20.17{\pm}2.12$ to $551.45{\pm}91.33$ pg/ml (p<0.5) and $1.13{\pm}0.16$ to $5.66{\pm}0.45\;{\mu}g/dl$ (p<0.01), respectively, representing the highest increase. Therefore, based on the changes in glucose, NEFA and insulin levels before and after the race, it was concluded that the race distance of 1,400 m represents the point where racehorses make a conversion from anaerobic to aerobic exercise.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.747-752
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• 2008

This study was carried out to calculate genetic trends on racing speed traits of Thoroughbred racehorses, using a total 208,043 racing records of 9,934 heads collected from January, 1990 to December, 2006 in Gwacheon racecourse. Repeated time, winning time and annual best time were used racing speed traits. The estimated heritabilities and repeatabilities for repeated time, winning time and annual best time were 0.288, 0.275, 0.341 and 0.502, 0.475, 0.496, respectively. Average phenotypic improvement per race year for racing speed traits were ranged from －0.115 to 0.148 second. The other side, the genetic improvement per race year for repeated time was －0.027 second but winning time and annual best time were not shown consistent trends. Therefore, we concluded that repeated time is recommended improvement trait of Thoroughbred racehorses.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.421-427
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• 1992

The study was basically carried out to establish the appropriate condition for applying the Westergren method for erythrocyte sedimentation rate(W-ESR) in Throughbred racehorses at recess. To do this, we examined the correlationship among some factors including the kind of anticoagulants, optimal ambient temperature and reading time for W-ESR in healthy racehorses. The difference between the blood samples treated with only 3.8% solution of sodium citrate(SC) and both EDTA and SC as a coagulant, there was not recognized any significant difference(p<0.05) in the levels of W-ESR irrespective of the ambient temperature of $20^{\circ}C$ or $30^{\circ}C$. The best optimal ambient temperature for W-ESR in horses was proved at $30^{\circ}C$ resulting from the tendency of the most reduced dispersion in mean values analyaed from repeatly 4 times to the same blood samles compared with those of $10^{\circ}C$ and $20^{\circ}C$. The optimal reading time was determined as 60 minutes(Y=237.2~4.1X, $r^2=0.998$) and 70 minutes(Y=247.8~4.2X, $r^2=0.999$) under the same temperature of $30^{\circ}C$; the latter showed the better result on the basis of the correlation of packed cell volume(PCV) and ESR values. About 13 healthy racehorses, we compared the real values of W-ESR respectively obtained at 60 minutes and 70 minutes at $30^{\circ}C$ with the anticipated values of PCV by means of the analysis of linear regression equitation. As the result of this, the strong correlation between both of them was confirmed. For practical use of W-ESR in Thoroughbred racehorese, we can recommend the condition of 60 or 70 minutes for the optimal reading time as well as $30^{\circ}C$ for the best ambient temperature.

• The Korean Journal of Applied Statistics
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.1133-1146
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• 2015

The Horse race industry has the largest proportion of the domestic legal gambling industry. However, there is limited statistical analysis on horse races versus other sports. We propose prediction models for winning horses in horse races using data mining techniques such as logistic regression, linear regression, and random forest. Horse races data are from the Korea Racing Authority and we use horse racing reports, information of racehorses, jockeys, and horse trainers. We consider two models based on ranks and time records. The analysis results show that prediction of ranks is affected by information on racehorses, number of wins of racehorses and jockeys. We place wagers for the last month of races based on our prediction models that produce serious profits.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.1081-1090
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• 1999

To establish the protocol of a standardized exercise test for evaluating exercise intolerance and degree of fitness in Thoroughbred racehorses, we examined serum lactate concentrations related to exercise intensities using the high speed treadmill. Twelve clinically healthy Thoroughbred racehorses with or without previous training or racing history were assigned to two gorups, fit and unfit group, respectively. The protocol used for the standardized exercise test was consisted of two stages : stage of warm-up and that of acceleration. During the warm-up, the horses exercised 5 min at 1.8m/s and 3 min 3.4m/s without inclination. At the acceleration stage, exercise test was performed at 10% slope and the speed was increased from the initial 5m/s to the maximal speed which each tested horse could keep up with. The speed was increased with incremental steps of 1 m/s every minute. During the last 15 sec of each step, blood samples were collected for serum lactate determination. $V_{max}$(maximal treadmill speed which tested horses could keep up with) of the fit group ($10.93{\pm}0.33m/s$, mean${\pm}$SE, n = 6) was higher than that of the unfit group ($9.52{\pm}0.23m/s$, mean${\pm}$SE, n = 6). Serum lactate concentrations increased exponentially according to exercise intensities. $V_{La4}$(speed producing a serum lactate concentration of 4mmol/l) of the fit group, $6.45{\pm}0.26m/s$, was higher than that of the unfit group, $5.45{\pm}0.23m/s$. $La_{peak}$(peak plasma lactate concentration during the exercise test) was lower in the fit group ($20.34{\pm}1.62mmol/l$ at 1 min after maximal intensity exercise) than in the unfit group ($24.78{\pm}1.09mmol/l$ at 2 min after maximal exercise step). $t_{50%}$(time required for the recovery of lactate concentration to be one-half of $La_{peak}$ after maximal exercise) of the unfit group and the fit group were 40.0 and 18.0 min, respectively. Therefore, the protocol of the incremental standardized exercise test utilized in this study seems to be reliable for the assessment of fitness and exercise intolerance for the Thoroughbred racehorses.

• 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.