Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine has commenced a comprehensive three-year study to improve detection of Thoroughbred racehorse injuries with data provided by horses seen by Ruffian Equine Specialists, which is located next to Belmont Park, the New York Gaming Commission said through a Tuesday press release.The study, funded by New York State and The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), will build on previous international research and the ongoing industry goal to prevent fatal musculoskeletal injuries.State-of-the-art standing computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) machines will be installed at Cornell Ruffian as part of the project.The CT provides a high-resolution image of the bony anatomy, allowing for identification of microstructural changes prior to being apparent on a radiograph.PET detects increased bone metabolic activity in three different planes, allowing for the exact identification of regions of bone pathology. It also provides a highly sensitive detection of bone abnormalities and remodeling.Racehorses are routinely examined by veterinarians who use diagnostic imaging. However, such scans can miss hairline fractures and pre-fracture pathology that can lead to fatal injuries. In such cases, horses with such undetected factors may be considered sound–and therefore train and race until they experience a serious or fatal injury.The three year project seeks to:Identify fetlock fractures and pre-fracture pathology in horses with and without lameness;Determine the sensitivity and specificity of CT, PET and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compared to digital radiographs;Use photo-counting CT and high field MRI scans to further define early bone pathology in horses that suffered fatal fractures of the fetlock joint;Further characterize biomarker findings in healthy and lame horses; andFurther refine a risk factor index for fatal musculoskeletal injury based on epidemiological findings, preliminary scanning technology, clinical examination, and advance imaging.“Continuously improving equine safety is an organizational imperative at NYRA,” said President and CEO of NYRA David O'Rourke. “This partnership will dramatically expand access to an important veterinary diagnostic tool while improving scientific research around thoroughbreds training and competing in New York. We thank Governor Hochul for her steadfast commitment to horse racing as we look forward to the opening of a new Belmont Park in September.”The results of the study will be published in peer-reviewed periodicals and presented at veterinary research conferences.The post New York And NYRA Support Three Year Cornell Study To Protect Horses appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.