 |
| Professor Thilo Pfau of the University of Calgary demonstrated the use of wearable sensors at the Rood & Riddle International Equine Podiatry Conference in 2022. This horse was subjected to before/after analysis as farriers and veterinarians used imaging, trimming, and shoeing methods to help the horse. (Hoof Blog file photo) |
Horse Racing Alberta invests in racehorse injury prevention research with $185,000 donation to University of Calgary program led by Dr. Thilo Pfau.
Canada's Horse Racing Alberta (HRA) has generously committed $185,000 to support pioneering research by Dr. Thilo Pfau and his team at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Faculty of Kinesiology. This significant contribution will fund research aimed at improving the prediction and prevention of racehorse injuries, a critical area of focus for the safety and protection of equine athletes.
Dr. Pfau’s research utilizes cutting-edge wearable sensor technology to monitor the stride length and speed of Thoroughbred, American Quarter Horse and Standardbred racehorses during races, and is able to collect data that correlates these metrics with track surface properties.
The ultimate goal of the funding is to develop reliable injury
prediction models that can help trainers and owners safeguard their
horses’ health without altering their routines. This research will be
the first of its kind for Standardbred racehorses.
“Horse Racing Alberta’s support is a testament to their commitment to protecting the health and welfare of racehorses,” said Dr. Pfau, shown at left in a UCalgary image. “This funding will allow us to expand our research, refine our predictive models, and work towards a universal injury prevention system that benefits the entire industry.”
The donation will also enable funding for a PhD student, the purchase of essential equipment, and other related costs such as travel to “A” racetracks in Alberta. The research team plans to collect and analyze a comprehensive data set of racehorse stride parameters and track surface characteristics. This work not only aims to improve injury prediction but also to inform best practices in track surface maintenance.
“This research aligns perfectly with Horse Racing Alberta’s mission to promote a healthy, vibrant, and progressive horseracing industry,” said Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer, Horse Racing Alberta. “We are proud to support Dr. Pfau’s innovative work and believe it will have a lasting impact on the welfare of racehorses of all breeds and the future of the sport.”
In addition to the research benefits, this project will create valuable learning opportunities for students, including the involvement of summer students and data analysts. The initiative will also foster collaboration with key industry stakeholders, further enhancing the credibility and impact of the findings.
HoofSearch is a subscription-based service that sends you monthly lists of all new peer-reviewed articles recently published. Each is linked to the full text or PDF file, and described briefly. Your list -- often 100 articles or more -- is neatly sorted into 15 topics, from anatomy to imaging to laminitis to therapeutics and rehab, breed and sport lameness, stable management, new patents and both hoof science and hoof diseases/conditions. You can scroll through the list for awareness or drill down into individual articles by reading online or downloading. It's either quick and easy or deep and revealing, depending on your needs and interests. Visit hoofsearch.com to learn more. Inquiries welcome: hoofsearch@gmail.com.
© Fran Jurga and Hoofcare Publishing; you are reading the online news service for Hoofcare and Lameness Publishing. Please, no re-use of text or images without permission--please share links or use social media sharing instead. Do not copy and paste text or images--thank you! (Please ask if you would like to receive permission.)
In addition to reading directly online, this site is accessible via RSS feed. You may also receive emails containing headlines and links(requires signup in box at top right of blog page).
The helpful "translator" tool in the right sidebar will convert this article (approximately) to the language of your choice.
To share this article on Facebook and other social media, click on the small symbols below the labels. Be sure to "like" the Hoofcare and Lameness Facebook page and click on "get notifications" under the page's "like" button to keep up with the hoof news on Facebook. Or, paste this article's address from the browser bar into your post.
Questions or problems with this site? Click here to send an email hoofblog@gmail.com.
Hoofcare + Lameness is reader-supported. Occasionally, if you purchase items through some retail links on this site, the company may earn a small affiliate commission, at no cost to you.
The donation will also enable funding for a PhD student, the purchase of essential equipment, and other related costs such as travel to “A” racetracks in Alberta. The research team plans to collect and analyze a comprehensive data set of racehorse stride parameters and track surface characteristics. This work not only aims to improve injury prediction but also to inform best practices in track surface maintenance.
“This research aligns perfectly with Horse Racing Alberta’s mission to promote a healthy, vibrant, and progressive horseracing industry,” said Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer, Horse Racing Alberta. “We are proud to support Dr. Pfau’s innovative work and believe it will have a lasting impact on the welfare of racehorses of all breeds and the future of the sport.”
In addition to the research benefits, this project will create valuable learning opportunities for students, including the involvement of summer students and data analysts. The initiative will also foster collaboration with key industry stakeholders, further enhancing the credibility and impact of the findings.
This article is an edited version of news provided by Horse Racing Alberta.
About Thilo Pfau
Thilo Pfau, Dr.-Ing., PGCAP, FHEA. PhD, is Professor in the University of Calgary's Kinesiology and Veterinary Medicine faculties, where he has been conducting research since 2021. Previously his research went on for 19 years at the Royal (UK) Veterinary College. His Google Scholar profile identifies more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and proceedings listing him as author; his work has been cited by others more than 6000 times. He has been the recipient of funding from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Equine Welfare Research Foundation, HorseTrust UK, and Morris Animal Foundation. His research often focuses on identifying and interpreting movement asymmetry in horses, as well as the interaction of hooves and surfaces. He is a leader in the use of wearable sensor technology in these areas and was a primary instructor and mentor for the RVC's Graduate Diploma in Applied Equine Locomotor Biomechanics Research program in both the US and UK.
About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada’s entrepreneurial university, and a top research university located in Calgary, Alberta. Founded in 1966, its 35,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, enriched by research, hands-on experiences, and entrepreneurial thinking. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
About Horse Racing Alberta
Horse Racing Alberta (HRA), is a private not-for-profit corporation that was established with the Alberta Governments proclamation of the Racing Corporation Act in 1996. The HRA was established to lead a racing industry renewal and to manage industry self-regulation.
Questions or problems with this site? Click here to send an email hoofblog@gmail.com.
Read this blog's headlines on the Hoofcare + Lameness Facebook Page
Enjoy images from via our Instagram account.
Yes, Hoofcare has its own page on LinkedIn, too. Let's connect.
Follow Hoofcare + Lameness on Twitter: @HoofBlog and @hoofhistory
Disclosure of Material Connection: Hoofcare Publishing has not received any direct compensation for writing this post. Hoofcare Publishing has no material connection to third party brands, products, or services mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
