According to New Zealand equine researchers, 2-year-old Thoroughbreds that are "idle" during training have prolonged times from starting training to entering either a trial (i.e., a practice race with no betting) or a race, but caution must be used to ensure horses get breaks when needed.
"Thoroughbred trainers often give their horses time off from training, called a 'spell' or layup', for a variety of reasons, including injury or simply time to grow and mature," explained Charlotte Bolwell, PhD, a research officer at the Massey University Institute of Veterinary, Animal, and Biomedical Sciences in New Zealand.
Because few studies have investigated the impact of training interruptions--defined as a break of more than 7 days from training--on the future performance of Thoroughbreds, Bolwell and colleagues followed a cohort of 2-year-olds over two racing seasons from the start of their training. The trainers participating in this study gave horses a median of 50 days off for voluntary training interruptions (based on a trainer decision) and a median of 68 days for involuntary interruptions (due to lameness, for example).
"Overall, 137 out of 200 horses had voluntary training interruptions," noted Bolwell. "It took only 70 days of training for horses with no interruptions to get to their first trial, but 184 days to get to their first trial if the horse had a voluntary interruption in training. Whilst it may have taken longer, 88% and 67% of horses that had voluntary or involuntary interruptions, respectively, went on to start in a trial."
Although 80% of horses started in at least one trial and 48% started in at least one race, the time to starting was significantly longer if the horse had an interruption in training.
"It is possible that the timing of the interruptions results in delays in reaching important milestones, and may impact on the horses' future success," she added.
It is important to recognize, however, that the authors are not implying that horses should not have training breaks, Bolwell said: "We recognize that they [breaks] are important for growth and development, but the timing of interruptions may be important in terms of successfully getting young Thoroughbreds prepped for races," said Bolwell.
The study, "The effect of interruptions during training on the time to the first trial and race start in Thoroughbred racehorses" will appear in an upcoming edition of Preventative Veterinary Medicine. The abstract is available on PubMed.
Disclaimer: Seek the advice of a qualified veterinarian before proceeding with any diagnosis, treatment, or therapy.
