Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41399282›Full record

SynthesisWorkplace health & safety2026

A Systematic Narrative Review of Stable Staff and Trainers' Occupational Health and Well-Being in Thoroughbred Horse Racing: An International Perspective.

Georgia Tobin, SarahJane Cullen, Arthur Dunne, Giles Warrington, Jennifer Pugh, Adrian McGoldrick, Carol Nolan, Cíara Losty

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Workplace health & safety, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Georgia TobinDepartment of Sport and Exercise Science, South East Technological University.ORCID 0009-0001-6176-4632
SarahJane CullenSchool of Health and Human Performance, Dublin City University.ORCID 0000-0002-0270-2706
Arthur DunneDepartment of Sport and Exercise Science, South East Technological University.ORCID 0000-0002-1496-6696
Giles WarringtonSport and Human Performance Research Centre, University of Limerick.ORCID 0000-0001-6473-3607
Jennifer PughIrish Horse Racing Regulatory Board, The Curragh.
Adrian McGoldrickIrish Horse Racing Regulatory Board, The Curragh.
Carol NolanHorse Racing Ireland, The Curragh.
Cíara LostyDepartment of Sport and Exercise Science, South East Technological University.ORCID 0000-0002-2946-2263

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundStable staff and trainers are essential to racing yards and horse welfare, yet limited research focuses on this vital workforce that the thoroughbred industry heavily relies on. This systematic narrative review synthesizes existing literature on the occupational health and well-being of stable staff and trainers in the thoroughbred horse racing industry.

methodsA systematic narrative review was conducted across PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus using relevant keywords. Manuscripts reporting occupational or mental health data on stable staff and/or trainers and had the full-text available were synthesized narratively in line with PRISMA guidelines.

findingsOf 2,456 studies screened, 21 met eligibility criteria. In the past year, 43% of staff experienced an injury, with 18% requiring medical attention. Mental health concerns were prevalent, with 65% of injured staff experiencing anxiety, 60% depression, and up to 80% of UK stable staff and trainers reporting stress linked to financial pressures and limited support. Poor sleep contributed to self-reported daytime dysfunction and psychological distress. Substance misuse was notable, with 34% needing treatment for alcohol and 14% for drug misuse. The staffing crisis was influenced by occupational illnesses, poor working conditions, inexperienced staff, and limited career progression. CONCLUSIONS/APPLICATION TO PRACTICE: Occupational health challenges highlight the need for interventions to improve mental health support, workplace safety, and working conditions. Industry governing bodies and racing authorities should implement frameworks and standards that ensure safe, supportive, and sustainable work environments. Racing yards should prioritize career progression and educational programs to safeguard the well-being and longevity of this workforce.

Indexed as

Occupational HealthAnimalsHorsesHumansMental HealthSportsanxietydepressioninjuriesmental healthworkplace health

Identifiers

PMID41399282
PMCPMC12963471

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.