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H & L Online News
Do toe grabs on racing plates increase chances of injury? SARATOGA--In conjunction with the annual members’ meeting of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, a public panel discussion on the use of toe grabs on racing plates was held at the National Museum of Racing on August 11. Special guest at the discussion was Dr. Albert Kane, formerly of the University of California at Davis, and now a researcher at Colorado State University. Dr. Kane published data on a research project, funded by the Grayson-Jockey Club Foundation, which examined the incidence of racing breakdowns and compared statistics with the types of primarily front shoes worn by injured horses. Dr. Ted Hill, former examining veterinarian for the New York Racing Association and now a Jockey Club steward, reported that he had spoken with a number of trainers who are hesitant to change from their use of toe grabs; he estimated that 90 percent of horses racing at NYRA tracks are shod with grabs. Dr. Hill noted, however, that several trainers had told him that they would not be against doing away with toe grabs, provided that all other trainers also stopped using them. Dr. Hill likened this possibility to the existing rules in New York against “turn-downs,” or turned heels on racing plates. Since horses are already checked for turn-downs, Dr. Hill said that rulings against toe grabs would be enforceable. Dr. John Fisher, a veterinarian and trainer of flat and jumping racehorses, spoke adamantly against the use of toe grabs. He opposes their use on dirt or turf, and in timber and steeplechase racing. He said that the prevalent “long toe low heel” adds to the risk of using toe grabs. Rim shoes are safer equipment for race horses, Fisher contended, a sentiment that was backed by Hall of Fame trainer Phil Johnson. In Dubai, toe grabs have recently been made legal equipment for racing, according to Kieran McLaughlin, a trainer who works in the USA and Dubai. This is a major new trend, given that most countries in the world affiliated with British racing do not allow toe grabs. According to Ed Kinney, president of Thoro’Bred Racing Plate Co. Inc., toe grabs are not allowed in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, South Africa and the British Isles. In America, the Vrginia Steeplechase Association banned toe grabs in 1997. Bennett Liebman, a member fo the New York Racing and Wagering Board,
described the process necessary to obtain a ban of toe grabs. “No racing commission
has any particular expertise of its own on equine safety and technology,” Liebman
stated. “It’s also a fact that the process is political, and in politics the
squeaky wheel gets the grease. Unless horsemen, riders, “You might hope,” he continued, “that there’s some way on the national level to get action on the toe grab issue. Don’t hold your breath.” Instead, Liebman proposed a national commission. “We need a national committee of researchers, tracks, horsemen, riders, and racing commissioners to review research. If we have any primary duty in racing, it should be to assure the safety of horses and riders.” Edward Bowen of the Grayson Jockey Club Foundation said that he and
his group left the meeting hoping that another horseman’s organization or racetrack
might promote or impose a moratorium on toe grabs--at the very least for the front
shoes--for a sufficient length of time (so) that comparision of injury rates to past
experience could be meaningful. Thanks to the Grayson Jockey Club Foundation, along with Dr. Al Kane of Colorado State University and Ed Kinney of Thoro’Bred Racing Plate Co. Inc. for their help with this report (published in Hoofcare & Lameness: The Journal of Equine Foot Science, September 1998) Hoofcare & Lameness About H&L Publishing Hoofcare & Lameness, The Journal of Equine Foot Science, is a professional journal of technical information related to the prevention and therapy of performance-related injuries, conformational challenges, and diseases of the foot that affect the world's horses. H&L is read by veterinarians, farriers, therapists, and owners/trainers/riders around the world and is the leading resource for the dissemination of new research, technologies, and ideas about the soundness of horses. H&L is published four times in each subscription period and is sold by subscription only. Cost is $50 in US, $55 in Canada and Mexico, $70 elsewhere in US dollars. H&L's print edition is supplemented by a reference book resource center, events listings, newsletters and press releases available on the Internet's World Wide Web at http://www.hoofcare.com. © 1997 Hoofcare & Lameness |