Total Reports
1,177
FDA CVM filings
Horse /
FDA CVM · 2025 release 1,177 reports on file
Thoroughbred - FDA Adverse Event Profile
Adverse-event records for Thoroughbred (Horse) from the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine.
Data updated June 2026
The record at a glance
Thoroughbred ranks #103 by report volume among horse breeds - 97 of 1,177 reports (8.2%) recorded a death outcome.
- #103
- most-reported horse breed
- 8.2%
- death-coded report share
- 152
- Lack of efficacy - NOS - top reaction
- 11.9 yr
- average age at report
Read report counts next to breed popularity: a bigger number often just means more owners and more vet visits.
Deaths Reported
97
of 1,177 reports
Death Rate
8.2%
death-coded share
Avg Age at Report
11.9 yr
450.4 kg avg weight
Death-Coded Outcome Share
Thoroughbred death-coded reports 8.2%
Cross-breed median
8.2% of 1,177 thoroughbred reports involved a death outcome.
How to read this number
Read alongside breed popularity, veterinary access, and owner awareness, these shape how many events ever reach the FDA. The comparison line marks the cross-breed median death-coded share (about 4.8%) among breeds with 50 or more reports; values above it suggest higher reporting bias toward severe outcomes, not necessarily higher true mortality.
Average weight at time of report: 450.4 kg (993.1 lbs)
Top Reported Reactions
Lack of efficacy - NOS 152
INEFFECTIVE, GASTRIC ULCER(S) 149
Injection site swelling 141
Fever 94
Colic 87
Injection site pain 78
Anorexia 72
Application site swelling 62
Swollen mouth 56
Death by euthanasia 54
Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological') 44
Partial lack of efficacy 41
Abnormal ultrasound finding 38
Lip oedema (see also 'Skin') 36
Death 35
Most Referenced Drugs
Omeprazole 232
Ceftiofur Crystalline Free Acid 153
Ivermectin(1.55%)/Praziquantel(7.75%) Paste 86
Ivermectin, Praziquantel 59
Pergolide Mesylate 55
Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan 54
Detomidine Hydrochloride 54
Sucralfate 43
Omeprazole 37% Oral Paste 42
Ceftiofur 41
Ivermectin + Praziquantel 40
Clodronate Disodium 27
Firocoxib 25
Hyaluronate Sodium 18
Ivermectin 16
Outcome Breakdown
Recovered/Normal
405 (39.3%)
Outcome Unknown
315 (30.6%)
Ongoing
199 (19.3%)
Died
49 (4.8%)
Euthanized
49 (4.8%)
Recovered with Sequela
13 (1.3%)
Gender Distribution
Male 693 (58.9%)
Female 383 (32.5%)
Unknown 53 (4.5%)
Mixed 48 (4.1%)
Reports by Year
| Year | Reports | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 69 | |
| 2011 | 79 | |
| 2012 | 69 | |
| 2013 | 60 | |
| 2014 | 88 | |
| 2015 | 98 | |
| 2016 | 72 | |
| 2017 | 81 | |
| 2018 | 58 | |
| 2019 | 55 | |
| 2020 | 86 | |
| 2021 | 79 | |
| 2022 | 77 | |
| 2023 | 81 | |
| 2024 | 69 | |
| 2025 | 56 | |
Thoroughbred Pet Health Insights
Thoroughbred accounts for 1,177 FDA adverse event reports, ranking #103 by volume among horse breeds, with 97 reports (8.2%) coded as a death outcome. Mean age at report: 11.9 years, average weight 450.4 kg (993.1 lbs).
Top reported signs: Lack of efficacy - NOS (152), INEFFECTIVE, GASTRIC ULCER(S) (149), Injection site swelling (141). Most-referenced drug: Omeprazole (232 reports), followed by Ceftiofur Crystalline Free Acid (153) and Ivermectin(1.55%)/Praziquantel(7.75%) Paste (86).
Outcome coding on 1,030 status-recorded reports is dominated by Recovered/Normal (39.3%). Annual submissions ranged 2,010-2,025 across 16 years on file.
Horse Breeds With a Similar Report Volume
Frequently Asked Questions
How many FDA adverse event reports involve Thoroughbred? ▼
There are 1,177 adverse event reports involving Thoroughbred in the FDA database, with 97 reports involving death (8.2% death rate). Thoroughbred ranks #103 by report volume.
What are the most common adverse reactions reported for Thoroughbred? ▼
The most commonly reported adverse reactions for Thoroughbred are Lack of efficacy - NOS (152 reports), INEFFECTIVE, GASTRIC ULCER(S) (149 reports), Injection site swelling (141 reports), Fever (94 reports), Colic (87 reports).
What drugs are most frequently associated with Thoroughbred adverse events? ▼
The drugs most frequently referenced in Thoroughbred adverse event reports are Omeprazole (232 reports), Ceftiofur Crystalline Free Acid (153 reports), Ivermectin(1.55%)/Praziquantel(7.75%) Paste (86 reports), Ivermectin, Praziquantel (59 reports), Pergolide Mesylate (55 reports).
What is the average age of Thoroughbred in adverse event reports? ▼
The average age of Thoroughbred at the time of adverse event reports is 11.9 years, with an average weight of 450.4 kg (993.1 lbs).
Does a high number of adverse event reports mean Thoroughbred is unhealthy? ▼
No. FDA adverse event reports are voluntarily submitted and do not prove causation. Popular breeds with more veterinary visits tend to have more reports. The data reflects reporting patterns, not actual incidence rates. Always consult a veterinarian for health decisions.
Where does this Thoroughbred safety data come from? ▼
All data comes from the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine's adverse event reporting system. Pet owners, veterinarians, and manufacturers voluntarily submit reports about adverse events potentially linked to animal drugs and other products.
Compare a breed's report volume against how common the breed is before drawing conclusions. See our methodology for how death rate and rankings are computed.
Every figure on PlainBreed is rendered directly from FDA openFDA adverse event data, no number is typed in by an editor. Breed figures are computed directly from FDA openFDA data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.