Contracting for care – the construction of the farrier role in supporting horse owners to prevent laminitis.
Abstract: Emerging research highlights how, due to demographic changes in horse owner populations in Western societies, complex owner-horse relationships are leading to inappropriate horse care, including overnutrition, which in turn can lead to laminitis. Farriers, due to their regular visits, may be in a position to support owners in dealing with this problem. Objective: This study explored whether UK farriers have a role in working with horse owners to support horse welfare and prevent laminitis. Methods: Grounded theory analysis, a qualitative methodology. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 farriers and 11 horse owners. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and systematically analysed, using an inductive coding approach. Results: The analysis of the farrier and horse owner interview data revealed farriers and horse owners undertake a contracting process leading to either a task-focussed or holistic care-focussed approach. Either approach can be satisfactory, but the evidence from this study suggests that when horses are at risk of laminitis, a task-focussed approach misses important opportunities to prevent it. Conclusions: This analysis, based on a small sample of participants, was not able to identify the frequency of farriers or horse owners orientating towards different approaches in a way that can be generalised to a wider population. However, the power of grounded theory lies in its inductive design to develop new theory, which can be subsequently tested. Conclusions: Farriers are in a perfect position to support horse owners to prevent laminitis through providing feedback, guidance and advice. However, not all farriers adopt this role and it is not necessary in all contexts. The evidence presented in this study has implications for equine veterinarians and welfare officers in educating horse owners about the value of holistic care-focussed farriery.
© 2018 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2018-05-17 PubMed ID: 29665061DOI: 10.1111/evj.12950Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The study analyzes the potential role of farriers (professionals who care for horse’s hooves) in UK, in mitigating the issue of horse laminitis by improving the way horse owners care for their animals.
Methodology
- The study is based on a qualitative methodology known as Grounded Theory Analysis.
- Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 12 farriers and 11 horse owners.
- All interviews were transcribed verbatim and the data analysed using an inductive coding approach.
Findings
- The study found that the interaction between the farriers and horse owners can be categorized into either a task-focused or a holistic care-focused approach.
- It noted that both approaches could be effective, but when it comes to preventing laminitis, the task-focused approach might miss key preventive opportunities.
Conclusions
- The study concludes that farriers play a crucial role in leading the fight against horse laminitis because of the feedback, guidance, and advice they can provide to horse owners.
- However, it also notes that not all farriers adopt this advisory role and it may not be necessary in all situations.
- The findings of the study have important implications for equine veterinarians and welfare officers in terms of educating horse owners about the importance of a holistic care approach in farriery.
- However, the study also mentions the limitation of its sample size, admitting that the results can’t be generalized to a larger population. But it argues that the strength of Grounded Theory Analysis is in developing new theories, which can be tested in further studies.
Cite This Article
APA
Lynden J, Ogden J, Hollands T.
(2018).
Contracting for care – the construction of the farrier role in supporting horse owners to prevent laminitis.
Equine Vet J, 50(5), 658-666.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12950 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK.
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK.
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Husbandry / methods
- Animals
- Data Collection
- Foot Diseases / prevention & control
- Foot Diseases / veterinary
- Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
- Hoof and Claw / pathology
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horses
- Humans
- Inflammation / prevention & control
- Inflammation / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Thompson K, Taylor J, Mendez D, Chicken C, Carrick J, Durrheim DN. Willingness to adopt personal biosecurity strategies on thoroughbred breeding farms: Findings from a multi-site pilot study in Australia's Hunter Valley. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:1017452.
- Manteca Vilanova X, Beaver B, Uldahl M, Turner PV. Recommendations for Ensuring Good Welfare of Horses Used for Industrial Blood, Serum, or Urine Production. Animals (Basel) 2021 May 20;11(5).
- de Laat MA, Reiche DB, Sillence MN, McGree JM. Incidence and risk factors for recurrence of endocrinopathic laminitis in horses. J Vet Intern Med 2019 May;33(3):1473-1482.
- Pollard D, Wylie CE, Verheyen KLP, Newton JR. Identification of modifiable factors associated with owner-reported equine laminitis in Britain using a web-based cohort study approach. BMC Vet Res 2019 Feb 12;15(1):59.
- Smith R, Pinchbeck G, McGowan C, Ireland J, Perkins E. Challenges for the veterinary profession: A grounded theory study of veterinarians' experiences of caring for older horses. Equine Vet J 2025 Jul;57(4):1053-1064.
- MacKechnie-Guire R, Williams JM, Fisher D, Nankervis K. The Role of Equestrian Professionals in Saddle Fit for Horses and Riders in the United Kingdom. Animals (Basel) 2024 Aug 28;14(17).
- Nankervis K, MacKechnie-Guire R, Maddock C, Pyatt A. Experiences of Interdisciplinary Working from the Perspective of the Society of Master Saddlers Qualified Saddle Fitters. Animals (Basel) 2024 Feb 7;14(4).
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