Eighteen researchers from England and North America studied the health rituals of athletes from various disciplines. It appears that, although equestrian fitness is a hot topic, the dietary habits of equestrian athletes are less than optimal.
In the study, not only were Olympic disciplines included but also horse racing, among others. Particularly, jockeys admitted to occasionally inducing vomiting to lose weight rapidly, a phenomenon less common in other equestrian disciplines. As a result, they were at a greater risk of developing dental problems such as inflamed gums, erosion, infections in wisdom teeth, and cracked teeth.
"It is incredibly important to take good care of your horse, but many riders often overlook their own well-being in the process. It is essential to prioritize your own health. Our research indicates that this is still not a given," a spokesperson explained.
"Sports drinks and diets high in carbohydrates also contribute to dental problems. Therefore, our next research will focus on developing a diet plan for jockeys to help them stop weight loss through vomiting."
Source: Horse & Hound