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BMC veterinary research2014; 10 Suppl 1(Suppl 1); S1; doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-10-S1-S1

Could it be colic? Horse-owner decision making and practices in response to equine colic.

Abstract: Little is known about lay understanding and decision making in response to colic. Horse-owners/carers are key to identifying colic and initiating veterinary intervention. Understanding how owners think and act in relation to colic could assist veterinary surgeons in tailoring information about colic with the aim of improving colic outcomes. Methods: A mixed methods approach was employed including qualitative in-depth interviews and a cross-sectional questionnaire. Qualitative data were analysed using Grounded theory to conceptualise processes involved in horse-owner management of colic. Following this, a cross-sectional survey was designed to test these concepts. Cluster analysis explored the role of the human-horse relationship upon colic management strategies. Results: Fifteen horse-owners with a range of colic experience participated in the interviews. A theoretical conceptual model was developed and described how horse-owners' recognised, assessed and responded to colic. Three main management strategies were used including 'wait and see', 'lay treatments' and 'seek veterinary assistance'. Actions in response to colic were moderated by owners' experience of colic and interpretation of the severity of colic signs. A postal questionnaire gathered data from 673 horse-owners from the North-West of the UK. The majority (605, 89.9%) of respondents were female. Cluster analysis revealed 5 meaningful groups of horse-owners based upon assessment of questionnaire items on the human-horse relationship. These groups included 2 professional and 3 amateur owner typologies. There were differences in the responses to some questionnaire items among the identified groups. Conclusions: This study describes lay understanding and management of colic among a population of horse-owners from the North-West of the UK. The information may serve as a basis upon which to tailor existing programmes designed to educate owners about colic management strategies, and may inform veterinarians' interactions with horse-owners.
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Publication Date: 2014-07-07 PubMed ID: 25238026PubMed Central: PMC4122872DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-10-S1-S1Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 research investigates how horse owners make decisions and manage situations related to equine colic. The study provides insights into the horse owners’ understanding of the condition and identifies different management strategies employed to deal with colic.

Methodology

  • The research used a mixed methods approach comprised of qualitative interviews and a quantitative cross-sectional questionnaire.
  • The qualitative data was derived from in-depth interviews with 15 horse owners having varied experiences with colic. This data was then analyzed using Grounded Theory to determine the processes involved in managing colic.
  • Following the qualitative phase, a cross-sectional survey was designed to test the various concepts uncovered during the interviews.
  • A cluster analysis was also performed to examine the influence of the human-horse relationship on the colic management strategies employed by the horse owners.

Results

  • The interviews resulted in a theoretical model that described how horse owners recognized, assessed and responded to colic.
  • Three main management strategies were observed: ‘wait and see’, ‘lay treatments’, and ‘seek veterinary assistance’.
  • The choice of management strategy was found to be influenced by the owners’ previous experience with colic and their perception of the severity of the colic signs.
  • The cross-sectional questionnaire gathered data from 673 horse owners based in the North-West of the UK, with the majority (89.9%) being women.
  • The cluster analysis revealed five distinct groups of horse owners based on their responses about the human-horse relationship. These groups encompassed two professional and three amateur owner typologies.
  • Noteworthy variations were observed in responses to certain questionnaire items among these groups.

Conclusion

  • The research presents a comprehensive overview of the lay understanding and management of colic among a significant number of horse owners in the North-West region of the UK.
  • The study’s findings can serve as a basis for customizing existing educational programs about colic management strategies and can provide valuable insights for veterinarians to better understand their interactions with horse owners.

Cite This Article

APA
Scantlebury CE, Perkins E, Pinchbeck GL, Archer DC, Christley RM. (2014). Could it be colic? Horse-owner decision making and practices in response to equine colic. BMC Vet Res, 10 Suppl 1(Suppl 1), S1. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-6148-10-S1-S1

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 10 Suppl 1
Issue: Suppl 1
Pages: S1

Researcher Affiliations

Scantlebury, Claire E
    Perkins, Elizabeth
      Pinchbeck, Gina L
        Archer, Debra C
          Christley, Robert M

            MeSH Terms

            • Animal Husbandry
            • Animals
            • Colic / diagnosis
            • Colic / pathology
            • Colic / veterinary
            • Data Collection
            • Decision Making
            • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
            • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
            • Horse Diseases / pathology
            • Horses
            • Humans
            • Interviews as Topic
            • Ownership
            • Surveys and Questionnaires
            • United Kingdom

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            Citations

            This article has been cited 19 times.
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