While injuries and fatalities in steeplechase races are recorded at or immediately following each race, the Safety Committee of the National Steeplechase Association has undertaken a study to investigate the occurrence of 'latent' injuries associated with steeplechase racing.“We know some injuries that occur during a race don't become apparent until days afterward,” said Dr. Reynolds Cowles, NSA Equine Medical Director and Chair of the Safety Committee. “Until we understand the full extent of these delayed injuries, we cannot accurately determine their total number or how best to prevent them.”Dr. Cowles, Don Yovanovich, President of the Virginia Steeplechase Association (VSA) and Dr. Nat White, Professor Emeritus of Equine Surgery at Virginia Tech have received a grant from the Virginia Horse Industry Board to further investigate these types of injuries.The primary objective of the study is to determine how many horses that appear uninjured during and immediately after a race subsequently develop signs of injury–such as heat, swelling, lameness, or fracture–within four days following competition. This information is currently unavailable but is essential for improving injury prevention strategies and enhancing the health and welfare of horses participating in the sport.The study protocol involves contacting trainers of all horses participating in race meets in 2026 to identify horses in which injuries become apparent after the event, require treatment, or delay a horse's return to training. A secondary objective is to identify potential risk factors associated with these injuries. “With this information, we can better understand how to make racing safer for horses,” Cowles added.“We are fortunate to have the generous support of the Virginia Horse Industry Board, which has made this study possible,” said Yovanovich. “Regardless of the final results, this research will expand our understanding of racing-related injuries and provide insights that can be applied to other equine disciplines to improve horse health and welfare.”The post Study Aims To Identify Hidden Injuries In Steeplechase Horses appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.