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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Res Commun / A retrospective evaluation of the causes of death of 448 ins...
Veterinary research communications2000; 24(2); 85-102; doi: 10.1023/a:1006408522233

A retrospective evaluation of the causes of death of 448 insured French horses in 1995.

Abstract: Epidemiological studies should allow comparisons to be made of the prevalence of disease in populations from different countries, but the population characteristics and health problems in French horses are not well established. We have conducted a retrospective evaluation of the causes of death and vital characteristics of insured horses in France for the year 1995, with a view to comparison with published data from other countries. Files on 448 deceased horses were provided by nine insurance companies. Most of the animals were used for breeding (60%), followed by leisure (20%), eventing and racing (10% each). Physical characteristics were associated significantly with occupational categories. The overall mortality rate was 2.47%, and was due, in decreasing order, to foaling (24%), colic (21%) or locomotor (21%), cardiovascular (9%), neurological (8%), respiratory (5%) or infectious (4%) disease. Infectious disease was more frequent in younger animals (p < 0.05) and locomotor disease in racehorses (p < 0.01). Horses aged over 15 years had a lower incidence of colic (p <0.05). The cause of death was not significantly linked to breed, insurance value or season. Despite some selection bias, the study provides useful information about mortality in the French equine population.
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Publication Date: 2000-03-17 PubMed ID: 10720095DOI: 10.1023/a:1006408522233Google 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 study analyzes the reasons for mortality in French horses insured in 1995 to provide useful context for animal health and to compare with data from other countries.

Research Objective

  • The main aim of this study was to investigate the reasons behind the mortality in French horses. The researchers wanted to gain a better understanding of the kind of diseases and the demographics in French horse populations and establish the possibility of comparing these findings to data from other countries.

Methods

  • The researchers made use of retrospective evaluation to study the causes of demise and important aspects of insured horses in France in 1995. The data for this study was provided by nine insurance companies and contained information about 448 deceased horses. The horses were utilized in various areas such as breeding, leisure, eventing, and racing. The researchers applied statistical analysis to assess the associations between various factors including physical characteristics, occupational categories, and cause of death.

Key Findings

  • The overall mortality rate was discovered to be 2.47%. The primary causes of mortality were found to be foaling (24%), colic (21%), locomotor (21%), cardiovascular (9%), neurological (8%), respiratory (5%), and infectious diseases (4%).
  • There were some significant correlations found in the study. For example, infectious diseases were more common in younger horses while locomotor diseases were more prevalent in racehorses. Horses above 15 years of age had a lower incidence of colic.
  • The researchers found no significant link between the cause of death and breed, insurance value, or season.
  • The study acknowledged a possible selection bias but maintained that the findings provide useful insights into horse mortality in the French population.

Conclusion

  • This research, despite potential bias, contributes significantly to the understanding of horse mortality in France. The data gathered can be used to improve horse health management and can also serve as a comparison point for similar studies in other countries.

Cite This Article

APA
Leblond A, Villard I, Leblond L, Sabatier P, Sasco AJ. (2000). A retrospective evaluation of the causes of death of 448 insured French horses in 1995. Vet Res Commun, 24(2), 85-102. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1006408522233

Publication

Veterinary research communications
ISSN: 0165-7380
NlmUniqueID: 8100520
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 24
Issue: 2
Pages: 85-102

Researcher Affiliations

Leblond, A
  • Institut Hippique Bourgelat, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Lyon, Marcy l'Etoile, France. a.leblond@vet-lyon.fr
Villard, I
    Leblond, L
      Sabatier, P
        Sasco, A J

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Animals, Newborn
          • Cardiovascular Diseases / mortality
          • Cardiovascular Diseases / veterinary
          • Cause of Death
          • Colic / mortality
          • Colic / veterinary
          • Communicable Diseases / mortality
          • Communicable Diseases / veterinary
          • Female
          • Fractures, Bone / mortality
          • Fractures, Bone / veterinary
          • France / epidemiology
          • Horse Diseases / mortality
          • Horses
          • Insurance, Life / statistics & numerical data
          • Male
          • Nervous System Diseases / mortality
          • Nervous System Diseases / veterinary
          • Respiratory Tract Diseases / mortality
          • Respiratory Tract Diseases / veterinary
          • Retrospective Studies
          • Selection Bias

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          Citations

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          2. Stange LM, Krieter J, Czycholl I. Comparison of the Current Situation of Equine Headshaking Syndrome in France and Switzerland Based on an Online Survey.. Animals (Basel) 2022 May 28;12(11).
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          4. Dybkjær E, Steffensen KF, Honoré ML, Dinesen MA, Christophersen MT, Pihl TH. Short-term survival rates of 1397 horses referred for colic from 2010 to 2018.. Acta Vet Scand 2022 May 7;64(1):11.
            doi: 10.1186/s13028-022-00631-4pubmed: 35526044google scholar: lookup
          5. Dugué M, Dumont Saint Priest B, Crichan H, Danvy S, Ricard A. Genomic Correlations Between the Gaits of Young Horses Measured by Accelerometry and Functional Longevity in Jumping Competition.. Front Genet 2021;12:619947.
            doi: 10.3389/fgene.2021.619947pubmed: 33584826google scholar: lookup
          6. Lightfoot KL, Burford JH, England GCW, Bowen IM, Freeman SL. Mixed methods investigation of the use of telephone triage within UK veterinary practices for horses with abdominal pain: A Participatory action research study.. PLoS One 2020;15(9):e0238874.
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