[Frequency of diseases and injuries in the Swiss horse population].
Abstract: Through a written questionnaire, which was sent to a representatively distributed and randomly selected sample of Swiss horse owners, data of 2912 horses and ponies were acquired to extrapolate prevalence data of health disorders. General questions about the horse and associated factors of housing and use, as well as questions about the current health status and the occurrence of diseases and injuries had been asked. 718 horses (24.7% of the sample) had been examined by a veterinarian within the 12 months prior to the survey. Orthopaedic and traumatic disorders (41.5%) had the largest proportion, followed by gastrointestinal--(27.1%) and respiratory (14.0%) diseases. Half of the lameness cases occurred as a direct consequence of a injury. The injuries were associated with pasture/paddock (38.1%), kicking and biting (21.6%), boxstall (7.8%), terrain and hacking (13.4%), training (3.5%), competition (3.5%), transportation (3.0%) or other circumstances (9.1%). A change in feeding management up to 4 weeks before development of a colic episode occurred in 26.5% of all colic cases. In 13.8% of all respiratory cases the same disease was diagnosed in other horses in the same barn. 8.1% of all cases had to be treated surgically, 6.7% required hospitalization for several days. Information about diagnostic or therapeutic procedures was related to specific disease categories. In 25.6% of all cases diagnosed by a veterinarian alternative therapeutic methods were used either in addition to traditional medicine or exclusively.
Publication Date: 2008-09-10 PubMed ID: 18777726DOI: 10.1024/0036-7281.150.8.399Google Scholar: Lookup
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- English Abstract
- Journal Article
Summary
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This Swiss study utilizes questionnaire data from horse owners to understand and extrapolate the prevalence of health disorders in horses. The data indicates that orthopaedic and traumatic disorders are the most common, followed by gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases.
Research Methodology
- The study was conducted by sending a written questionnaire to a representatively distributed and randomly selected sample of Swiss horse owners.
- Data from the responses of 2912 horses and ponies were analyzed.
- The survey was designed with questions regarding the horse’s general factors such as housing and use, as well as their current health status and previous occurrence of diseases and injuries.
Key Findings
- Of all the horses surveyed, 24.7% had been examined by a veterinarian within the year prior to the survey.
- The data showed that orthopedic and traumatic disorders had the largest proportion at 41.5%, followed by gastrointestinal diseases (27.1%) and respiratory diseases (14.0%).
- Half of the reported lameness cases were directly linked to an injury.
- Regarding these injuries, circumstances around them included: pasture/paddock-related (38.1%), kicking and biting (21.6%), boxstall-related (7.8%) terrain and hacking (13.4%), training (3.5%), competition (3.5%), transportation (3.0%), and other circumstances (9.1%).
- About 26.5% of all colic cases occurred following a change in feeding management up to four weeks prior.
- Respiratory disease was diagnosed in other horses in the same barn 13.8% of the time.
- Hospitalization for several days was required in 6.7% of cases, and 8.1% of all cases had to be treated surgically.
- Alternative therapeutic methods were employed in 25.6% of all cases diagnosed by a veterinarian, either in addition to traditional medicine or exclusively.
Conclusion
- The research offers a comprehensive insight into the frequency and causes of disease or injury in the Swiss horse population.
- These findings can help enhance targeted preventive measures and improve the overall health and wellbeing of horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Knubben JM, Gygax L, Auer J, Fürst A, Staﾬher M.
(2008).
[Frequency of diseases and injuries in the Swiss horse population].
Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd, 150(8), 399-408.
https://doi.org/10.1024/0036-7281.150.8.399 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institut für Nutztierwissenschaften der ETH Zürich.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Husbandry / methods
- Animal Welfare
- Animals
- Female
- Gastrointestinal Diseases / epidemiology
- Gastrointestinal Diseases / etiology
- Gastrointestinal Diseases / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses / injuries
- Housing, Animal / standards
- Lameness, Animal / epidemiology
- Lameness, Animal / etiology
- Male
- Prevalence
- Respiratory Tract Diseases / epidemiology
- Respiratory Tract Diseases / etiology
- Respiratory Tract Diseases / veterinary
- Risk Factors
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Switzerland / epidemiology
- Wounds and Injuries / epidemiology
- Wounds and Injuries / etiology
- Wounds and Injuries / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Schumacher A, Merle R, Stöckle S, Gehlen H. Player-Reported Perceptions of Lameness Risks and Contributing Factors for Polo Horses: Results from a Survey. Animals (Basel) 2025 Oct 29;15(21).
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