Science case study: does running racehorses under 4 years old cause injuries?

Question

for my case study i chose this question but i can't really find any good answers help please

Answer 1

you should contact some breeders or trainers

Answer 2

Many factors can contribute to injuries (poor care & nutrition, poor racing/ training surface, physical and mental stress, etc.). Running a horse under the age of 4, is not a lone primary injury factor. Thoroughbreds physically mature earlier than most horse breeds. Fillies tend to mentally and physically mature before colts. There is no exactness to this. Before a  young race horse / 2 year-old undergoes serious training, the trainer should have a vet x-ray the horse’s legs to make sure their knees are “locked” and the legs are sound. Even so, the maturity rate varies from horse to horse. But a horse is typically at it’s prime around 4 years old. Again, this varies per horse and circumstance.

Answer 3

Here are two articles that say there's no evidence that younger horses are injured more often:

http://news.bloodhorse.com/article/45152...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/con...

Both articles quote vets and/or experts.  The first article references a 2007 study of Thoroughbreds in Ontario, Canada that showed no difference in catastrophic injuries in horses of different ages from 2-to-8 years-old.

Answer 4

no

Answer 5

If you can find video of the round table discussions from Preakness day... the vet on NBC and the one on ESPN both said in that discussion that scientifically it's better for a horse to start running at a younger age.  It gives their bones an opporutnity to develop.  Starting running as a 2 year old helps the horses have longer, sounder careers.  Horses who do not race as 2 year olds will suffer more lamenesses during their careers and they will have to finish racing earlier than horses who race at 2.  So you could use those vets opinions if you can find video of that discussion.

Answer 6

check out stories on

http://www.drf.com

http://www.bloodhorse.com

http://www.ntra.com