Epidemiology and risk factors for eliminations from Fédération Equestre Internationale endurance rides between 2004–2015 in Italy

There is limited information on risk factors for elimination from endurance rides and changes over the years. The objectives of this study were to describe elimination for irregular gait and metabolic reasons from Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) endurance rides in Italy (2004–2015) and to assess risk factors and to investigate changes in elimination rates and speed over the long term. Data for FEI endurance rides were collected from three websites. Year, month, day, location, class (Concours de Raid d’Endurance International [CEI]*/**/***), restriction to young riders, distance (km), number of starters, horses’ age and breed, and average finish speed for each horse were recorded. Horses were classified as completed, retired or eliminated for irregular gait, metabolic or other reasons. Environment data were obtained from the Il Meteo website. Descriptive data were summarized, and univariable analyses and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate risk factors. The chi-squared test and one-way or Friedman analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to assess differences between years. Variables associated with elimination for irregular gait were the number of starters, age of the horse, classes, minimum temperature and presence of rain; those associated with elimination for metabolic reasons were the number of starters, classes, horse breed and minimum temperature. Average finish speed increased over the years but the elimination frequency changed only for metabolic reasons, with a higher percentage at the beginning of the study period. This study was conducted in Italy and the results may not be applicable globally; speed was available only for horses that completed the competition. Average finish speed increased over the years but the percentage of eliminations remained stable after 2007. Training, nutrition, previous injuries and treatments are likely to contribute to problems occurring during the ride, and investigation of these factors would be desirable.