Racing Victoria has welcomed a $5.25 million research project - the biggest investment of its kind into equine welfare research - aimed at the early detection and prevention of bone injury to thoroughbred racehorses.

As part of an ongoing industry partnership, University of Melbourne researchers will undertake the three year Equine Limb Injury Prevention Research Program to better identify horses that may be at risk of serious bone injury.

Victoria’s Minister for Racing Martin Pakula made the announcement at the University of Melbourne’s Equine Centre at Werribee as part of a joint funding commitment from the State Government’s Victorian Racing Industry Fund ($2.25 million), Racing Victoria ($1.6 million) and the University of Melbourne ($1.4 million).

Bone fractures in thoroughbred racehorses are often fatal and it is currently very difficult to identify which animals are most vulnerable before such an injury occurs.

Racing Victoria Head of Equine Welfare and Veterinary Services, Dr Brian Stewart, said the research was critical for the industry.

“Racing Victoria welcomes the opportunity made possible by the joint contribution of the Andrews Labor Government and University of Melbourne in developing much-needed research into equine limb injury prevention,” Dr Stewart said.

“More than $300 million a year is spent on the training, care and welfare of Victoria’s racehorses and this major investment represents the industry’s continued commitment to improving the welfare of thoroughbred horses before, during and after their racing career.

“Better understanding the bone response to exercise is crucial for our trainers - and the industry as whole - to properly implement a training and management plan that safeguards the health and welfare of our equine athletes.”

The ultimate aim of the research will be to create a ‘mathematic model’ of bone injury that trainers, owners and racing authorities can then use as a tool to guide their training and racing regimes.

The research will:

• Examine pressure and loads in the lower limbs

• Investigate the processes surrounding bone fatigue

• Seek to understand bone modelling and re-modelling in horses both in training and at rest

• How distances and speeds affect bone fatigue

• Collect data on horse injuries

University of Melbourne Professor Chris Whitton, an equine veterinarian and world leading researcher investigating bone injury and fractures in horses, said the funds will go towards equipment and post-doctoral research projects.

His research has already identified how bone micro-damage accumulates and is repaired during the training cycle.

“At the moment, bone injuries are regarded as an inevitable consequence of training, but this needn't be the case,” Professor Whitton said.

“If we can unravel the intricacies of the bone’s response to stress and exercise; and detect bone damage early, it’ll go a long way to preventing long-term injury and fatalities.

“Bone fractures are the most common cause of fatal injury in horses during training and racing and the key aim of our research is to investigate how we can minimise this risk.

“The funding will go towards new equipment that will improve bone imaging, investigate bone mechanical and structural properties, and measure the loads generated in a horse’s limb while galloping.”