Causes of disease and death from birth to 12 months of age in the Thoroughbred horse in Ireland

Information regarding disease incidence and mortality rates of animals at studs is essential for many reasons. Firstly, it can provide a yardstick against which rates of disease and death at other similar breeding operations can be judged so that excess disease rates can be identified and addressed early. Secondly, it provides important information for the financial planning of commercial breeding operations, veterinary practices and insurers. It also provides an overview of where research efforts should be focused to allow the opportunity of positively influencing animal welfare. To date, there has been little objective data available regarding disease incidence and mortality in the young Thoroughbred population in Ireland.Reports on disease incidence and mortality rates in foals in other geographical locations show variation both in the age range of the study population and in their findings. Wohlfender et al. [23] reported a 8.27% incidence of infectious disease in the first 30 days of life in Thoroughbred foals in the UK. Morley and Townsend [13] described a 42% incidence of disease and 11% mortality rate in the first 12 months post partum in foals in Western Canada. Cohen [2] demonstrated a 27% disease incidence and a 4.7% mortality rate in the first six months post partum in Texas, USA. Haas et al. [10] reported a 22% mortality rate in the first 10 days of life. The objective of this retrospective study is to determine the causes and incidence of disease and mortality in a Thoroughbred population in the first 12 months of life on Irish stud farms.Foaling data and veterinary records were reviewed for Thoroughbred foals born and kept on four stud farms in Co. Kildare, Ireland. All foals were born between January 1, 2004 and May 30, 2008. Foals that were born in Ireland, but subsequently left the country prior to 12 months of age were excluded. Still-births and deaths before weaning were included if the dam remained in Ireland until December of that year. Animals