Aging Equines: Understanding the Experience of Caring for a Geriatric Horse with a Chronic Condition.
Abstract: This study evaluated the experience of 1,448 people in the United States who currently care for or had previously cared for a geriatric horse and how that experience was qualified by the presence or absence of a chronic condition in the horse. An anonymous, online questionnaire was distributed to a cross-country sample to investigate the burden of caregivers from the perspective of owners of geriatric horses. Traumatic events and veterinary care decisions were also explored. Findings from the study supported the hypothesis that owners of geriatric horses with a chronic condition experienced higher levels of physical and emotional care burden, regardless of the age of the geriatric horse. Attachment levels reported by participants were high, regardless of the health status of the horse. This exploratory study provides the equine practitioner a greater understanding of the care burden experienced by owners of geriatric horses, particularly of owners of geriatric horses with a chronic condition, who rely on their veterinarian to guide their management and health care decisions. Veterinarians can help prepare and support clients as they navigate the complexities of caring for an older horse with a chronic condition.
Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2020-03-25 PubMed ID: 32534771DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.102993Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This study investigates the experiences and responsibilities of individuals caring for older horses, particularly those with chronic health conditions, and how these experiences impact mental and physical wellbeing.
Overview of the Study
- This research is an evaluative study conducted on 1,448 individuals from the United States who at the time of the study either were currently caring for or had in the past cared for a geriatric horse.
- The study was conducted through an anonymous, online questionnaire, distributed to a cross-country sample with the aim to examine the difficulties or burdens experienced by caregivers from the perspective of those who own old horses.
- The study also aimed to explore occurrences of traumatic events and decisions related to veterinary care that these caregivers had to deal with.
Key Findings in the Study
- The study found that those who provide care for old horses that have chronic conditions experience more physical and emotional strain in comparison to those caring for geriatric horses without chronic conditions. These experiences of higher burdens were consistent, regardless of the age of the horse.
- Participants reported high levels of emotional attachment to the horses they cared for, irrespective of the horse’s health status.
Implications of the Study
- The insights derived from this study can increase the understanding of equine practitioners regarding the burdens faced by owners of old horses, especially those with chronic health conditions.
- Veterinarians play an essential role in the care and management decisions made by these caregivers. Through a proper understanding of the caregiver burden, they can potentially provide more effective support and guidance to their clients.
- The results highlighted the need for creating stronger support systems for caregivers of geriatric horses with chronic diseases, to help them better navigate the complexities associated with such care-giving scenarios.
Cite This Article
APA
Ballou ME, Mueller MK, Dowling-Guyer S.
(2020).
Aging Equines: Understanding the Experience of Caring for a Geriatric Horse with a Chronic Condition.
J Equine Vet Sci, 90, 102993.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2020.102993 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Center for Animals and Public Policy and Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, MA.
- Center for Animals and Public Policy and Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, MA; Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University, Medford, MA.
- Center for Animals and Public Policy and Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, MA. Electronic address: seana.dowling_guyer@tufts.edu.
MeSH Terms
- Aged
- Aging
- Animals
- Chronic Disease
- Horse Diseases
- Horses
- Humans
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- United States
- Veterinarians
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- DeNotta S, McFarlane D. Immunosenescence and inflammaging in the aged horse.. Immun Ageing 2023 Jan 6;20(1):2.
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