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Home / Equine Research Bank / Can Vet J / Demographics, management, and welfare of nonracing horses in...
The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne2005; 45(12); 1004-1011;

Demographics, management, and welfare of nonracing horses in Prince Edward Island.

Abstract: There are no detailed, representative, horse-level data about equine management practices in different parts of Canada. To help address this, the demographics, management, and welfare of 312 nonracing horses in Prince Edward Island were examined in a randomized, horse-level survey during summer 2002. Owners completed a pretested questionnaire, and a veterinarian examined each horse. Owners were experienced caregivers and the horses were generally in good condition. Areas for improvement included parasite control, dental and hoof care, and tail docking. The mean fecal egg count was 428 eggs per gram; 76% of owners never removed manure from the pasture. Sixty-two percent of horses had never had a veterinary dental examination. Many horses had hoof defects (excessively long hooves, 26.8%; hoof wall breaks, 32.0%; and white line disease, 8.5%). Many (54.9%) draft horses had docked tails. These results suggest owners might benefit their horses by receiving education in aspects of equine care. Résumé — Démographie, gestion et bien-être des chevaux ne coursant pas à l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard. Il n’existe pas de données détaillées et représentatives se rapportant directement au cheval sur les pratiques de gestions équine dans les différentes régions du Canada. Afin d’aider à corriger cette situation, la démographie, la gestion et le bien-être de 312 chevaux qui ne coursent pas de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard ont été examinés dans une étude au hasard centrée directement sur le cheval au cours de l’été 2002. Les propriétaires ont complété un questionnaire validé et un vétérinaire a examiné chacun des chevaux. Les propriétaires avaient de l’expérience dans le soin des chevaux et ceux-ci étaient généralement en bonne condition. Les points où une amélioration était souhaitable comprenaient le contrôle des parasites, le soin des dents et des sabots et le coupage de la queue. Le compte moyen des œufs fécaux était de 428 par gramme; 76 % des propriétaires n’enlevait jamais le fumier des pâturages. Soixante-deux pour cent des chevaux n’ avait jamais subit d’examen dentaire par un vétérinaire. Plusieurs chevaux présentaient des anomalies du sabot (sabots excessivement longs, 26,8 %; brisure de la muraille du sabot : 32 %, et maladie de la ligne blanche, 8,5 %). Plusieurs chevaux d’exposition (54,9 %) avaient la queue coupée. Ces résultats permettent de présumer que les propriétaires pourraient améliorer le bien-être de leurs animaux en suivant une formation sur les soins à donner aux chevaux. Traduit par Docteur André Blouin
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Publication Date: 2005-01-14 PubMed ID: 15646847PubMed Central: PMC554751
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Summary

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This research study explores the demographics, management, and welfare of non-racing horses in Prince Edward Island, Canada, during the summer of 2002. The results suggest opportunities for improvement in methods of equine care such as parasite control, dental and hoof care, and tail docking used by experienced horse owners.

Summary of Research

The study conducted during 2002 concentrates on a perceptible gap in the data related to the management and welfare of non-racing horses in Prince Edward Island, Canada. In the research, a sample of 312 non-racing horses was studied using a randomized, horse-level survey to determine the current state of equine care and suggest improvements needed. Key findings from the research suggest that despite owners being experienced caregivers, there are areas of horse welfare and management that need improvement.

Questionnaire and Veterinary Examination

  • As part of the study, the horse owners were asked to fill a pretested questionnaire, providing their perspective on horse care and management.
  • Furthermore, each of the 312 non-racing horses was examined by a veterinarian, providing a professional assessment of the horses’ health condition. Both the responses from the questionnaire and the vet’s findings present a comprehensive picture of the current state of horse care in the sampled population.

Areas of Improvement

This research identified various areas where owners could better care for non-racing horses, including:

  • Parasite control: The mean fecal egg count was found to be 428 eggs per gram, an indication that there is a high level of internal parasitic infections among the non-racing horses. Furthermore, the survey also discovered that 76% of horse owners never removed manure from their paddocks, creating a favorable environment for the propagation of parasites.
  • Dental and hoof care: The survey discovered that 62% of the horses never had a veterinary dental examination. Identifying and addressing dental issues early on can significantly impact horse health and performance. Similarly, many horses had hoof defects, such as excessively long hooves (26.8%), hoof wall breaks (32.0%) and white line disease (8.5%) indicative of deficiencies in hoof care.
  • Tail Docking: Many draft horses (54.9%) were found to have docked tails. Tail docking is a traditional practice in some parts of the world but is increasingly viewed as not in the best interests of horse welfare by many in the equine veterinary community.

Educational Recommendation

In light of the findings, the research suggests that horse owners could greatly benefit their horses by receiving further education in aspects of horse care. Specifically, the areas identified for improvement point towards the need for better equine veterinary practices and ongoing parasite control strategies. The study underlines the importance of continuous education among horse owners to ensure the welfare of their animals.

Cite This Article

APA
Christie JL, Hewson CJ, Riley CB, Mcniven MA, Dohoo IR, Bate LA. (2005). Demographics, management, and welfare of nonracing horses in Prince Edward Island. Can Vet J, 45(12), 1004-1011.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 45
Issue: 12
Pages: 1004-1011

Researcher Affiliations

Christie, Julie L
  • Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
Hewson, Caroline J
    Riley, Christopher B
      Mcniven, Mary A
        Dohoo, Ian R
          Bate, Luis A

            MeSH Terms

            • Animal Husbandry / statistics & numerical data
            • Animal Welfare / statistics & numerical data
            • Animals
            • Demography
            • Horses
            • Humans
            • Ownership / statistics & numerical data
            • Prince Edward Island / epidemiology
            • Surveys and Questionnaires

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            Citations

            This article has been cited 6 times.
            1. Riley CB, Padalino B, Rogers CW, Thompson KR. Human Injuries Associated with the Transport of Horses by Road. Animals (Basel) 2023 May 10;13(10).
              doi: 10.3390/ani13101594pubmed: 37238024google scholar: lookup
            2. Ross M, Proudfoot K, Merkies K, Elsohaby I, Mills M, Macmillan K, Mckenna S, Ritter C. Horse Housing on Prince Edward Island, Canada: Attitudes and Experiences Related to Keeping Horses Outdoors and in Groups. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jan 13;13(2).
              doi: 10.3390/ani13020275pubmed: 36670815google scholar: lookup
            3. MacMillan KM, Millican LJ, Burns JJ, McClure JT, Vanderstichel R. Compliance with the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines on 50 horse farms in Prince Edward Island. Can Vet J 2020 Sep;61(9):985-989.
              pubmed: 32879525
            4. Durham AE, Frank N, McGowan CM, Menzies-Gow NJ, Roelfsema E, Vervuert I, Feige K, Fey K. ECEIM consensus statement on equine metabolic syndrome. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Mar;33(2):335-349.
              doi: 10.1111/jvim.15423pubmed: 30724412google scholar: lookup
            5. Christie JL, Hewson CJ, Riley CB, McNiven MA, Dohoo IR, Bate LA. Management factors affecting stereotypies and body condition score in nonracing horses in Prince Edward Island. Can Vet J 2006 Feb;47(2):136-43.
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            6. Christie JL, Hewson CJ, Riley CB, McNiven MA, Dohoo IR, Bate LA. A preliminary equine abuse policy with potential application to veterinary practice. Can Vet J 2005 Mar;46(3):250-2.
              pubmed: 15884648
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