It is well documented that the equine fatality rate for hurdling and steeplechase racing is significantly higher than that of flat racing. The disparity in fatality rates is likely due to the fact that the types of injuries sustained in jump racing differ from those sustained in flat racing. Some catastrophic injuries, such as vertebral fractures, occur more frequently in horses racing over jumps.

Researchers at the Department of Veterinary Clinical Science at the University of Liverpool, led by Gina Pinchbeck, BVSc, PhD, recently conducted a study to determine the frequency of falling and falling-associated fatalities in U.K National Hunt races. Another goal was to identify specific risk factors for falls in these races.

The study was conducted on 2,879 starts in hurdle and steeplechase races on six U.K. racecourses. During a two-year period, the researchers identified 124 falling cases, with 32 occurring in hurdling events and 92 occurring in steeplechase races.

Eighteen fatal injuries occurred during the study, and 44% of those were associated with falls. Pinchbeck said, “Of the horses that fell at a fence, 8.9% were injured, and 6.5% were fatally injured