Association between costly veterinary-care events and 5-year survival of Swedish insured warmblooded riding horses.

The research article investigates the association between costly veterinary care events (VCE) and the five-year survival rate of insured warmblooded riding horses in Sweden. The study additionally explores the influence of several factors such as gender, age, previous diagnoses, geographic variables, and costs for veterinary claims on horse survival rate.

Methodology of the Study

The research conducted is retrospective and involves the analysis of a cohort of warmblooded riding horses insured under a Swedish insurance company, Agria Insurance, in the year 1997. The analyzed cohort comprises two distinct groups:

• Horses which had undergone at least one costly VCE in 1997 (2,495 horses)
• Horses which had not undergone any VCE in 1997 (15,576 horses)

These horses were insured both for veterinary care and life, allowing the researchers to track their health status and survival over a period of five years.

Findings of the Study

From the group that underwent costly VCE, 38% of the horses died during the five-year follow up period, while from the group that did not have any VCE, 19% died. The median cost for VCE in the group that had at least one VCE was 3,800 SEK, with 10th and 90th percentiles of 1,400 and 11,400 SEK respectively.

Analytical Observations

The research findings were analyzed using an exponential-regression model which revealed several correlations:

• Geldings (castrated male horses) were observed to have a higher risk of death as compared to mares (female horses), and mares were at a higher risk compared to stallions (intact male horses).
• The risk of death was found to increase linearly with age.
• Horses with a higher life-insurance value were observed to have an increased risk of death.
• Horses previously diagnosed with lameness (difficulty in movement) had the lowest survival rate. The increased risk associated with high-cost claims was not influenced by the age of the horse.

These observations suggest that various factors, including costly veterinary care, gender, age, and previous medical conditions, significantly impact the survival of warmblooded riding horses.