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Equine veterinary journal2023; doi: 10.1111/evj.13942

Competing interests at the heart of equine sports medicine ethics: A scoping review and thematic analysis.

Abstract: The ethics of using horses in sport is receiving increasing attention and media scrutiny. Sports medicine ethics is an important and well-established discipline within human medicine and biomedical ethics, which has, thus far, received little application to the equine veterinary field. Objective: The purpose of this scoping review was to explore the existing literature on equine sports medicine ethics, to understand the current concerns and issues, and to map areas for future research. Methods: Scoping review. Methods: Academic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, CAB abstracts) were searched to identify papers, published in English, between 2000 and 2022, that mentioned aspect(s) of the ethics of veterinary provision to the performance horse. Additionally, grey (including lay) literature was identified through global search engines to locate supplementary and opinion articles. Relevant data on article characteristics and ethical concerns were extracted and charted. Thematic analysis was employed to identify key issues. Results: A literature source of 41 papers/articles was used; of which 35 were from veterinary sources, mostly veterinary journals and conference proceedings. Several themes were identified including: competing stakeholder interests; governing bodies, rules and regulations; provision of optimal veterinary care; confidentiality; and social licence for the veterinary profession. The most commonly mentioned specific ethical concern was the use of medication in performance horses. Conclusions: In this scoping review, we have not sought to critically analyse the ethical arguments within the included literature, but rather to collate them so that an overview of ethical concerns can be established. Conclusions: Further consideration is required as to how the veterinary profession and sporting governing bodies can support individual veterinary surgeons to strive for the highest levels of professional conduct in equine sports medicine. The veterinary profession should continue to work towards establishing processes for determining what veterinary practices are ethical, optimal, excessive, permissible and impermissible.
© 2023 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2023-05-10 PubMed ID: 37163211DOI: 10.1111/evj.13942Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This research article evaluates the literature on the ethics of equine sports medicine, highlighting the current issues and future areas of concern. It indicates that further consideration is required to establish ethical, optimal, excessive, permissible, and impermissible practices in equine sports medicine.

Research Objective

  • The main aim of this scoping review was to explore the existing literature on equine sports medicine ethics. It aimed to comprehend the current concerns, issues, and map the potential areas for future research.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers implemented a scoping review approach, where academic databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and CAB abstracts were searched for papers published in English between 2000 and 2022.
  • The papers had to focus on the ethical aspects of the veterinary treatment provided to sports horses.
  • Supplementary literature and opinion articles were also identified through global search engines. These are primarily referred to as grey (including lay) literature.
  • Data relevant to article characteristics and ethical concerns were extracted, charted, and later subjected to thematic analysis to identify key issues.

Research Results

  • The researchers reviewed a total of 41 papers/articles, 35 of which were from veterinary sources such as veterinary journals and conference proceedings.
  • They identified several themes including competing stakeholder interests, governing bodies, rules and regulations, the provision of optimal veterinary care, confidentiality, and social license for the veterinary profession.
  • The use of medication in performance horses was the most commonly mentioned ethical concern in the reviewed literature.

Conclusions

  • The researchers did not seek to critically analyse ethical arguments in this scoping review; their intention was to compile the ethical concerns to establish an overview.
  • Further contemplation is deemed necessary regarding how the veterinary profession and sporting governing bodies can empower individual veterinary surgeons to aim for the highest levels of professional conduct in equine sports medicine.
  • The veterinary profession should keep working to establish processes that determine ethical, optimal, excessive, permissible, and impermissible practices in this domain.

Cite This Article

APA
Allen K, Anderson L, King M, Mullan S. (2023). Competing interests at the heart of equine sports medicine ethics: A scoping review and thematic analysis. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13942

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Allen, Kate
  • Bristol Veterinary School, Bristol, UK.
Anderson, Lynley
  • Bioethics Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
King, Mike
  • Bioethics Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Mullan, Siobhan
  • Bristol Veterinary School, Bristol, UK.
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Allen K, King M, Anderson L, Mullan S. Ethical issues concerning UK veterinary surgeons practicing in equine sports medicine. Equine Vet J 2025 May;57(3):674-683.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14204pubmed: 39032049google scholar: lookup
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