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New Zealand veterinary journal2015; 64(2); 90-94; doi: 10.1080/00480169.2015.1091396

A cross-sectional survey on wounds in horses in New Zealand.

Abstract: To determine the frequency and type of skin wounds encountered by New Zealand veterinarians in their equine patients, the duration and estimated costs of treatment as well as the expected outcomes for these wounds. Methods: An online survey was sent to all veterinarians registered with the New Zealand Equine Veterinary Association. The survey comprised questions on the location and experience of respondents, the number of wound-related cases in relation to the total equine caseload, the type and anatomical location of wounds treated, the frequency, duration and costs of treatments, the outcome of wound treatment and an estimate of the most common causes of death or euthanasia in their equine patients. Results: The survey response rate was 110/262 (41.9%). The median number of equine cases seen by respondents was 20 (interquartile range (IQR) 6-60) per month; of these, five (IQR 2-10) were wound related. Wounds ranked third after lameness and respiratory disease for the relative frequency with which respondents encountered them. Of 102 respondents 59 (58%) reported that their clients frequently treated wounds incurred by their horse without consulting a veterinarian. Wounds on the distal limb, whether involving only the skin or also deeper structures, were reported by 86/101 (85%) respondents as the most frequently encountered. Wounds in this location also incurred the longest treatment period and were the most prone to develop complications. Finally, wounds ranked second, after colic, as the most common cause of death/euthanasia in the veterinary respondents' equine patients. Conclusions: The data obtained via the survey indicate that skin wounds, particularly on the distal limb, are a common occurrence in horses in New Zealand and, when they involve structures underlying the skin, are costly and time-consuming to manage and may lead to decreased performance, retirement or euthanasia. Consequently, we recommend that more effort be devoted to the education of equine veterinarians and owners, and that appropriate research funds be allocated to help improve patient outcomes.
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Publication Date: 2015-10-07 PubMed ID: 26357976DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2015.1091396Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research paper is a study on the prevalence and severity of skin wounds on horses in New Zealand, based on an online survey of New Zealand veterinarians. It identifies that skin wounds, especially on the lower limbs, are a common issue requiring substantial effort and resources to manage and often leading to major outcomes like decreased performance or euthanasia.

Methodology

  • The researchers conducted an online survey. This survey was sent out to all members of the New Zealand Equine Veterinary Association.
  • The survey questions pertained to several areas of interest like the location and experience of respondents, the number and types of wounds treated, frequency, duration, and cost of treatments, as well as the most common causes of death or euthanasia among equine patients.

Results

  • The response rate for the survey stood at 41.9%, with 110 respondents from a total of 262 invitees.
  • On average, respondents treated 20 horse patients per month, with around five of these cases involving wound treatment.
  • Wounds ranked third after respiratory diseases and lameness in terms of frequency.
  • Of all 102 respondents, 58% reported that horse owners often treated their equine’s wounds without veterinary consultation.
  • Wounds on the lower limb — either on the skin solely or involving deeper structures — were the most common, as reported by 85% of the respondents.
  • Wounds were pointed out as the second most common cause leading to death or euthanasia, next only to colic.

Conclusions

  • The survey’s results indicate that skin wounds on horses, especially on the lower limb, are a frequent problem in New Zealand.
  • Such wounds, when they involve subcutaneous structures, become costly and time-consuming to manage, having potential to decrease performance levels or necessitate retirement or euthanasia.
  • To combat this issue, the researchers propose increased efforts towards the education of equine veterinarians and horse owners, in addition to allocating appropriate research funds to work towards improved patient outcomes.

Cite This Article

APA
Theoret CL, Bolwell CF, Riley CB. (2015). A cross-sectional survey on wounds in horses in New Zealand. N Z Vet J, 64(2), 90-94. https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2015.1091396

Publication

New Zealand veterinary journal
ISSN: 0048-0169
NlmUniqueID: 0021406
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 64
Issue: 2
Pages: 90-94

Researcher Affiliations

Theoret, C L
  • a Equine Research Centre, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences , Massey University , Palmerston North 4442 , New Zealand.
Bolwell, C F
  • a Equine Research Centre, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences , Massey University , Palmerston North 4442 , New Zealand.
Riley, C B
  • a Equine Research Centre, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences , Massey University , Palmerston North 4442 , New Zealand.

MeSH Terms

  • Animal Husbandry
  • Animals
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Data Collection
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horses / injuries
  • New Zealand / epidemiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Wounds and Injuries / epidemiology
  • Wounds and Injuries / veterinary

Citations

This article has been cited 14 times.
  1. Partusch L, Rutland CS, Martens A, Du Cheyne C, De Spiegelaere W, Michler JK. Collagen composition in equine exuberant granulation tissue reflects tissue immaturity. PLoS One 2025;20(11):e0335179.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0335179pubmed: 41196884google scholar: lookup
  2. Zambroni ME, Bertone PA, Cabral AL, Boatti AS, Romanini SV, Martínez SR, Gómez ML. Easy-to-Apply Hydrogel Patch for Field Treatment and Monitoring of Equine Wounds. Gels 2025 Apr 27;11(5).
    doi: 10.3390/gels11050328pubmed: 40422348google scholar: lookup
  3. Hussein KH, Motiea E, Hussein MT. Efficacy of xenogeneic fresh and lyophilized amniotic membranes on the healing of experimentally induced full-thickness skin wounds in dogs. Sci Rep 2025 May 4;15(1):15605.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-95023-9pubmed: 40320419google scholar: lookup
  4. Tranquille CA, Chojnacka K, Murray RC. Musculoskeletal Injury and Illness Patterns in British Eventing Horses: A Descriptive Study. Animals (Basel) 2024 Sep 13;14(18).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14182667pubmed: 39335262google scholar: lookup
  5. Charlotte C P, Benoit B, Olivier M L. The effects of a synthetic epidermis spray on secondary intention wound healing in adult horses. PLoS One 2024;19(3):e0299990.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299990pubmed: 38451976google scholar: lookup
  6. Riley CB, Rogers CW, Thompson KR, Guiver D, Padalino B. A Survey-Based Analysis of Injuries to Horses Associated with Transport by Road in New Zealand. Animals (Basel) 2022 Jan 21;12(3).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12030259pubmed: 35158585google scholar: lookup
  7. Jørgensen E, Bjarnsholt T, Jacobsen S. Biofilm and Equine Limb Wounds. Animals (Basel) 2021 Sep 27;11(10).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11102825pubmed: 34679846google scholar: lookup
  8. Melotti L, Martinello T, Perazzi A, Iacopetti I, Ferrario C, Sugni M, Sacchetto R, Patruno M. A Prototype Skin Substitute, Made of Recycled Marine Collagen, Improves the Skin Regeneration of Sheep. Animals (Basel) 2021 Apr 23;11(5).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11051219pubmed: 33922557google scholar: lookup
  9. Cequier A, Sanz C, Rodellar C, Barrachina L. The Usefulness of Mesenchymal Stem Cells beyond the Musculoskeletal System in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 25;11(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11040931pubmed: 33805967google scholar: lookup
  10. Wise LM, Stuart GS, Sriutaisuk K, Adams BR, Riley CB, Theoret CL. Anti-fibrotic Actions of Equine Interleukin-10 on Transforming Growth Factor-Beta1-Stimulated Dermal Fibroblasts Isolated From Limbs of Horses. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:577835.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.577835pubmed: 33195583google scholar: lookup
  11. Kamus L, Rameau M, Theoret C. Feasibility of a disposable canister-free negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) device for treating open wounds in horses. BMC Vet Res 2019 Mar 6;15(1):78.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-019-1829-5pubmed: 30841889google scholar: lookup
  12. Padalino B, Rogers CW, Guiver D, Thompson KR, Riley CB. A Survey-Based Investigation of Human Factors Associated With Transport Related Injuries in Horses. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:294.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00294pubmed: 30525050google scholar: lookup
  13. Kamus LJ, Theoret C, Costa MC. Use of next generation sequencing to investigate the microbiota of experimentally induced wounds and the effect of bandaging in horses. PLoS One 2018;13(11):e0206989.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206989pubmed: 30475922google scholar: lookup
  14. Wise LM, Bodaan CJ, Stuart GS, Real NC, Lateef Z, Mercer AA, Riley CB, Theoret CL. Treatment of limb wounds of horses with orf virus IL-10 and VEGF-E accelerates resolution of exuberant granulation tissue, but does not prevent its development. PLoS One 2018;13(5):e0197223.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197223pubmed: 29763436google scholar: lookup
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