Starting gate injuries - understanding the jump action

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AS the horse jumps from astanding start immensepressure is exerted on theentire body. This isparticularly evident in the two-year-old racehorse due to its lack ofphysical maturity, strength, anddevelopment.A two-year-old is still in the growth stage…

Electric starting gates were introduced to North American tracks in 1939 to avoid false starts and ensure a fair race. However, with their introduction came the increase of serious injury to the racehorse through both accidental contact with the stalls and the jump action.

By Samantha Ostridge

First Published (02 February 2011 - Issue Number: 19)