Surgical Correction of Large Colon Displacement in the Juvenile Thoroughbred: Effects on Sale Value and Race Performance. Edwards VL1;2, Loux S3, Embertson R2. 1Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA; 2Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, KY; 3University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.
Juvenile Thoroughbreds can be expensive to raise, train, and race, and financial decisions play an important role when making medical decisions in the management of these horses. The purpose of this study was to determine if surgery to correct large colon displacements affected the sales price and their racing careers. We hypothesized that the surgery would adversely affect the sales price but would not affect their racing career when compared to siblings. The medical, sales, and racing records of horses less than two years of age that had a surgical diagnosis of large colon displacement were examined (n = 110). Surgical cases were compared to a control group (n = 299). There was no difference in sales price overall between the two groups. Horses undergoing surgery for colic tended (P = 0.0978) to have reduced starts when compared to controls, particularly as two-year-olds. There was no effect of surgery on earnings within the two-to-four-year-old period of racing when compared to controls. Two main limitations of this study were the retrospective nature and total number of cases. This study illustrates that colic surgery for large colon displacements has minimal effect on the sales prices of juvenile Thoroughbreds. While owners should note that horses undergoing surgery may have reduced starts as two-year-olds, there appears to be no effect on earnings in the first three years of racing. Findings from this study will assist in client communication on outcomes associated with sales and racing in juvenile thoroughbreds requiring surgery.