How Often Do Australian Horse Owners Provide Footcare For Their Horses?
| Options | % of Horse Owners |
| Between 6 and 8 weeks | 32% |
| Every 6 weeks | 41% |
| Every 3 to 4 weeks | 14% |
| Every 1 to 2 weeks | 4% |
| Every 2 to 5 months | 4% |
| When the horse needs it | 5% |
| Every 6 to 12 months | 1% |
— Australian horse owner survey as reported in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science
Thoroughbred Racehorse Fatal Injuries Dropping
Statistics from the Equine Injury Database show the risk of fatal injuries across all racetrack surfaces has dropped in recent years.
The fatal injury risk with all track surfaces has dropped by 20% since 2009. The risk on dirt tracks has dropped by 17%, while the risk on turf courses has declined by 30%.
The data is based on injuries that resulted in fatalities within 72 hours from the date of the race. Tracks that account for approximately 97% of flat racing days contribute data to the study, says Tim Parkin, a veterinarian and epidemiologist from Scotland’s University of Glasgow who performed the analysis.
On turf courses, there were 1.36 fatalities per 1,000 racing starts in 2017. On dirt tracks, there were 1.74 fatalities per 1,000 starts while the rate of fatal injuries on synthetic surfaces was 1.1 fatalities per 1,000 starts.
An analysis of 2017 racing data indicated that shorter races (less than 6 furlongs) were associated with higher injury rates vs. middle distance races (6-8 furlongs) and long races (more than 8 furlongs.)
In addition, 2-year-olds had the lowest rate of catastrophic injuries compared to older horses.
— Equine Injury Database, the Jockey Club
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