Racecourse fracture management. Part 1: Incidence and principles

Summary Equine fractures occurring during racing are an emotive subject. Attending veterinary surgeons have an obligation to be well informed and decisive; actions taken and advice given are frequently subject to public scrutiny and there are in addition important welfare, financial and litigious considerations. This paper is the first of a trilogy of reviews aimed at providing veterinary surgeons with up to date information on racecourse fracture management. It details incidence and predisposing factors, contemporary reviews on pathogenesis and discusses insurance implications. It also gives guidelines for acute evaluation and first aid management including sedation and analgesia. The second paper will describe techniques for temporary immobilisation and transport and the third will report up to date recommendations and emergency care of specific fractures.