The impact of the mandatory rest period in Fédération Equestre Internationale endurance events.

BACKGROUND: Endurance riding competitions are increasingly popular, with a corresponding awareness of the frequency of Failure to Qualify (FTQ) due to lameness or metabolic problems. Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) rules require a minimum number of days between competitions, known as a mandatory rest period (MRP). OBJECTIVES: To analyse the impact on FTQ outcomes of MRPs which applied between January 2014 and December 2016, and model potential changes to MRPs to establish which rule change could lead to the largest further reduction in the number of FTQ outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study and predictive model using a subset of data collected by the FEI of every horse start worldwide in Concours de Raid d'Endurance Internationale (CEI) competitions between 2010 and 2017. METHODS: Descriptive statistics followed by predictive/retrospective modelling of potential scenarios. Scenarios involved extended MRP for all horses and/or for only the fastest ridden horses. RESULTS: There were clear direct benefits demonstrated from the introduction of MRPs. Among directly affected horses, current MRPs could have prevented 2.3% of FTQ outcomes. Further benefits could be gained by extending MRPs. The 'best-value' impact could be found in a 1-week extension for all horses plus a 1-week extension for the fastest ridden horses - which could result in a reduction of up to 11.5% of FTQ outcomes among directly affected horses. MAIN LIMITATIONS: The data set covers all FEI competitions but no National Federation events. The data set is geographically comprehensive but it does not include every competition started by every individual horse. Training data for each horse were not available. CONCLUSIONS: Mandatory rest periods for horses between endurance competitions have had the intended impact of reducing numbers of FTQ outcomes in CEI events. Further benefits could be gained by extending rest periods for all horses and/or for horses ridden at the highest average speeds.

Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) endurance events: Riding speeds as a risk factor for failure to qualify outcomes (2012-2015).

This study examined the association between riding speed and elimination in Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) endurance events. A total of 35,061 horse starts from 1st July 2012 to 31st December 2015 were included in a multivariable logistic regression model containing 25 different risk factors. Riding speeds in individual stages ('loops') were included as individual risk factors in studying the progress of horses through loops 1-3 of each endurance ride. The possibility of real-time, 'mid-ride' predictive modelling was explored by modelling both riding speeds and sudden changes in speed between loops as potential risk factors. Faster riding speeds, especially during loops 1 and 2, were associated with deleterious outcomes. Furthermore, sudden drops in riding speed during loop 3 were associated with an increased likelihood of elimination.

Fédération Equestre Internationale endurance events: Risk factors for failure to qualify outcomes at the level of the horse, ride and rider (2010-2015).

An epidemiological study of elite endurance riding was conducted using data from every Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) endurance event from 2010 to 2015, comprising 82,917 starts. The aim of the study was to identify risk factors associated with failure to qualify outcomes for horses during FEI endurance rides. The FEI endurance rules state that, during a ride, horses must be assessed by veterinarians several times, giving veterinarians the opportunity to prevent those horses exhibiting signs of lameness or metabolic problems from continuing further. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to identify horse, ride and rider level risk factors associated with failure to qualify. Risk factors particularly associated with increased likelihood of failure to qualify due to lameness included age of horse≥9 years, male horse, male rider, field size≥61 horses and if the ride was held in region group II (Northern and Eastern Europe). Factors associated with increased likelihood of failure to qualify due to metabolic problems included whether the ride was held in region group VII (North Africa and the Middle East), ride distance≥100km and male rider. Some risk factors, such as field size, may be modifiable at the ride level. Other risk factors such as horse age or sex are unmodifiable, but awareness of the risk contributed by these factors can provide veterinarians with additional information while treating horses during endurance rides.