A cross-sectional survey of the training and management of a cohort of 2-year-old Standardbred racehorses in New Zealand

Abstract There are limited data on the training and management practices of Standardbred trainers in New Zealand. The aims of this study were to describe the 2-year-old training practices of Standardbred trainers and to examine if there were differences in the production process between public (commercial) and amateur (licenced to train) trainers. An online Qualtrics survey was conducted following the 2016/7 racing season and completed by 154 Standardbred trainers, 88 (57%) of which had 2-year-olds in training. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data stratified by public and licenced to train trainers. Most of the 2-year-old horses in work were homebred (bred by the trainer), with public trainers more likely to break in their horses themselves (85% vs 64%, p = 0.04). The training pattern of 2-year-olds was similar for public trainers and licenced to train trainers, and was influenced by either convenience or the physical maturity of individual horses. Most trainers were reluctant to retire any 2-year-old. The prevalence of involuntary breaks for 2-year-olds was low (9.1%, 95% CI 6.6 - 12.4%). The majority of trainers used 800 m (½ mile) oval, crusher dust (‘all-weather’) or sand tracks, with most public trainers using tracks with banked corners (88% vs 59%, p