Cross-sectional study of UK horse owner’s purchase and euthanasia decision-making for their horse.
Abstract: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate factors affecting horse owners' purchase and euthanasia decisions that had been identified in a qualitative study. An online survey on horse owners' purchase and euthanasia decisions and experiences was distributed using snowball sampling. Inclusion criteria were previous experience of purchase or euthanasia decisions. Descriptive data analyses (mean, median, mode and frequency percentages) were performed. There were 451 participants from the UK and Ireland, 97% were female with a median age of 45 years. Participants most frequently did not seek any advice when deciding what type of horse to purchase (38.6%, 169/438) or if it was priced appropriately (48.7%, 214/439). Most participants were satisfied with their purchase and would purchase their horse again (84.9%, 370/436). The most frequent reasons for euthanasia were injury/illness with low chance of survival (55.2%, 201/364), poor quality of life (42.6%, 155/363) and long-term injury (35.7%, 130/364). Most participants sought advice or guidance when making end-of-life decisions (87.5%, 328/375), and 55% (243/440) had a euthanasia plan in place. Owners show limited advice-seeking behaviour on key aspects of purchase decisions. Owners frequently seek advice on euthanasia decisions, and the majority of decisions were based on welfare concerns.
© 2021 British Veterinary Association.
Publication Date: 2021-01-28 PubMed ID: 33739499DOI: 10.1002/vetr.56Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This study explores the decision-making processes of horse owners in the UK, focusing on purchasing and euthanasia decisions. It analyzed responses to an online survey and found that horse owners often do not seek advice when purchasing horses but do so when making decisions for euthanasia.
Methodology and Sample Population
- The research was conducted using a method known as a cross-sectional study.
- An online survey concerning horse owners’ purchasing and euthanasia decisions was distributed, with a particular sampling technique called snowball sampling used to reach a wide sample of respondents.
- Participants in this study were 451 horse owners from the United Kingdom and Ireland, predominantly female with a median age of 45 years. The inclusion criterion was that participants must have had previous experience making purchase or euthanasia decisions for a horse.
Data Analysis and Findings
- Descriptive data analysis, including calculations of mean, median, mode, and frequency percentages, were used to process the survey responses.
- The data showed that participants often did not seek advice when deciding on the type of horse to purchase or whether the asking price was appropriate.
- Despite this, most participants were satisfied with their purchases and would make the same decision again.
- Conversely, when making end-of-life decisions for their horses, a significant majority of participants did seek advice or guidance.
Euthanasia Decisions
- The most common reasons for choosing euthanasia included injury or illness with a low chance of survival, poor quality of life, and long-term injury.
- More than half of the participants had a euthanasia plan in place for their horses.
- The study points out that most euthanasia decisions were rooted in welfare concerns for the horse.
Conclusions and Implications
- Highlighting the limited advice-seeking behavior regarding key aspects of purchase decisions.
- However, owners frequently sought advice on euthanasia decisions, suggesting different levels of importance or emotional sensitivity attached to these decisions.
- The results of this study can be used to inform professional guidance for horse owners and prospective buyers, as well as provide insight into the wellbeing attitudes and behaviors of horse owners.
Cite This Article
APA
Clough H, Roshier M, England G, Burford J, Freeman S.
(2021).
Cross-sectional study of UK horse owner’s purchase and euthanasia decision-making for their horse.
Vet Rec, 188(6), e56.
https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.56 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, UK.
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, UK.
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, UK.
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, UK.
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Animals
- Consumer Behavior
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Decision Making
- Euthanasia, Animal
- Female
- Horses
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Ownership
- United Kingdom
- Young Adult
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