FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
The Veterinary record2021; 189(2); e303; doi: 10.1002/vetr.303

Horse owners’ attitudes towards and motivators for using complementary and alternative veterinary medicine.

Abstract: Complementary and alternative veterinary medicine (CAVM) is becoming increasingly popular in horses. Online, cross-sectional survey in 1532 horse owners. Attitude towards CAVM, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and intention for future CAVM use were measured based on the theory of planned behaviour. Structural equation modelling was performed to characterize factors influencing intention to use CAVM. Past use of CAVM, predominantly manual therapies and herbal supplements, was reported by 72.5% of all participants. Frequently reported indications were improving horse's well-being, illness which did not resolve after conventional treatment and chronic illness. The attitude towards CAVM was positive with a median (interquartile range) score of 6 of 7 (4.75-7.00). Predictors for past CAVM use were higher owner age, alternative medicine self-use and higher education (non-university). The strongest predictor of future CAVM usage was perceived behavioural control and perceived CAVM efficacy, as well as positive attitude towards and perceived knowledge about CAVM. The veterinarian was reported as a source of information about CAVM by 86.4% of all participants. Horse owners showed a high intention to use CAVM with the owners' perceived behavioural control and perceived CAVM efficacy as the strongest predictor. Veterinarian-client communication is important to inform horse owners correctly.
© 2021 British Veterinary Association.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2021-04-26 PubMed ID: 33899957DOI: 10.1002/vetr.303Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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.

This research article focuses on the attitude and motivations of horse owners towards the use of Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine (CAVM). The study, conducted through an online survey, finds that a majority of the participants already use CAVM in some form, primarily manual therapies and herbal supplements, and are likely to continue usage in the future. Factors affecting their decision include the owner’s age, self-use of alternative medicine, education, their perceived knowledge about CAVM, and the perceived efficacy of these treatments.

Study Methodology and Sample

  • This research used a cross-sectional survey, disseminated online, to collect data from 1532 horse owners.
  • The Theory of Planned Behaviour was used as a formulation framework to measure horse owners’ attitudes towards CAVM, perceived norms around its usage, perceived behavioural control in CAVM use, and their intentions to use CAVM in the future.
  • Statistical analysis was performed using structural equation modeling to understand the factors influencing the intention to use CAVM among horse owners.

Use of CAVM

  • About 72.5% of surveyed horse owners reported past use of CAVM, with manual therapies and herbal supplements being the most common.
  • The main reasons for using CAVM were improving the horse’s well-being, treating an illness which did not resolve with conventional veterinary medicine, and managing chronic illnesses.

Attitudes towards CAVM

  • Horse owners generally held a positive attitude towards CAVM, with a median score of 6 out of 7.
  • This positive attitude was significantly impacted by the horse owner’s age, personal use of alternative medicine, and level of education – particularly those who did not pursue higher education.

Predictors of Use

  • Predictors for future use of CAVM were the perceived behavioural control in using these therapies, the perceived efficacy of CAVM methods and a positive attitude towards its usage.
  • Another contributing factor was the perceived knowledge about CAVM among horse owners.

The Role of the Veterinarian

  • The study noted that in most cases, the veterinarian was the primary source of information about CAVM for the horse owners.
  • 86.4% of the participants considered their veterinarians as reliable information sources for CAVM.
  • This emphasizes the importance of the veterinarian in appropriately informing and advising horse owners.

Cite This Article

APA
Keller P, Vanwesenbeeck I, Hudders L, Decloedt A. (2021). Horse owners’ attitudes towards and motivators for using complementary and alternative veterinary medicine. Vet Rec, 189(2), e303. https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.303

Publication

The Veterinary record
ISSN: 2042-7670
NlmUniqueID: 0031164
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 189
Issue: 2
Pages: e303

Researcher Affiliations

Keller, P
  • Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Vanwesenbeeck, I
  • Centre for Persuasive Communication, Department of Communication Sciences, Faculty of Political and Social SciencesGhent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Hudders, L
  • Centre for Persuasive Communication, Department of Communication Sciences, Faculty of Political and Social SciencesGhent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Decloedt, A
  • Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.

MeSH Terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Complementary Therapies / psychology
  • Complementary Therapies / statistics & numerical data
  • Complementary Therapies / veterinary
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Horse Diseases / therapy
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Intention
  • Male
  • Motivation
  • Ownership
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Young Adult

References

This article includes 28 references
  1. Brennan M, Chambers D, Christley R, Penfold H. A cross-sectional study investigating the prevalence of and motivations for using alternative medicines by equine owners on their animals.. Equine Vet J 2018;50:8-8.
  2. Lana SE, Kogan LR, Crump KA, Graham JT, Robinson NG. The use of complementary and alternative therapies in dogs and cats with cancer.. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2006;42:361-65.
  3. Lange CD, Axiak Flammer S, Gerber V, Kindt D, Koch C. Complementary and alternative medicine for the management of orthopaedic problems in Swiss Warmblood horses.. Vet Med Sci 2017;3:125-33.
  4. AVMA Alternative and Complementary Therapies Task Force. An insight into the AVMA Guidelines for Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2001;218:1729-31.
  5. Coleman HJ, Rogers CW, Gee EK. The use of alternative therapies in racing Thoroughbreds.. N Z Soc Anim Prod 2006;66:279-83.
  6. Thirkell J, Hyland R. A survey examining attitudes towards equine complementary therapies for the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries.. J Equine Vet Sci 2017;59:82-7.
  7. Meredith K, Bolwell CF, Rogers CW, Gee EK. The use of allied health therapies on competition horses in the North Island of New Zealand.. N Z Vet J 2011;59:123-7.
  8. Boldt EJ. Use of complementary veterinary medicine in the geriatric horse.. Vet Clin N Am Equine Pract 2002;18:631-6.
  9. Zollman C, Vickers A. ABC of complementary medicine. Complementary medicine and the patient.. BMJ 1999;319:1486-9.
  10. Ajzen I. The theory of planned behavior.. Organ Behav Hum Decis Process 1991;50:179-211.
  11. McFadden KL, Hernandez TD, Ito TA. Attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine influence its use.. Explore (NY) 2010;6:380-8.
  12. Francis JJ, Eccles MP, Johnston M, Walker A, Grimshaw JM, Foy R. Constructing questionnaires based on the theory of planned behaviour: a manual for health services researchers.. Quality of life and management of living resources Newcastle upon Tyne, UK: Centre for Health Services Research, University of Newcastle upon Tyne; 2004.
  13. Lie D, Boker J. Development and validation of the CAM Health Belief Questionnaire (CHBQ) and CAM use and attitudes amongst medical students.. BMC Med Educ 2004;4: 2.
  14. Muthén LK, Muthén B. Mplus version 8 user's guide.. 8th ed. Los Angeles, CA: Muthén & Muthén; 2017.
  15. Kline RB. Principles and practice of structural equation modeling.. 2nd ed. New York: Guilford Press; 2005.
  16. Chen L, Michalsen A. Management of chronic pain using complementary and integrative medicine.. BMJ 2017;357:j1284.
  17. Hanssen B, Grimsgaard S, Launso L, F⊘nneb⊘ V, Falkenberg T, Kr Rasmussen N. Use of complementary and alternative medicine in the Scandinavian countries.. Scand J Prim Health Care 2005;23:57-62.
  18. Furnham A. Alternative medicine for the elderly - why do the elderly use complementary and alternative medicine?.. Berlin Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag; 2003.
  19. Harris PE, Cooper KL, Relton C, Thomas KJ. Prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use by the general population: a systematic review and update.. Int J Clin Pract 2012;66:924-39.
  20. Astin JA. Why patients use alternative medicine: results of a national study.. JAMA 1998;279:1548-53.
  21. Barnes PM, Bloom B, Nahin RL. Complementary and alternative medicine use among adults and children: United States, 2007.. Natl Health Stat Report 2008;1-23.
  22. Himmel W, Schulte M, Kochen MM. Complementary medicine: are patients' expectations being met by their general practitioners?. Br J Gen Pract 1993;43:232-5.
  23. White A, Boon H, Alraek T, Lewith G, Liu J-P, Norheim A-J. Reducing the risk of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM): challenges and priorities.. Eur J Integr Med 2014;6:404-8.
  24. Vincent C, Furnham A. Why do patients turn to complementary medicine? An empirical study.. Br J Clin Psychol 1996;35(Pt 1):37-48.
  25. Richardson J. What patients expect from complementary therapy: a qualitative study.. Am J Public Health 2004;94:1049-53.
  26. Frenkel M, Ben-Arye E, Cohen L. Communication in cancer care: discussing complementary and alternative medicine.. Integr Cancer Ther 2010;9:177-85.
  27. Fisher P, Ward A. Complementary medicine in Europe.. BMJ 1994;309:107-11.
  28. Davis EL, Oh B, Butow PN, Mullan BA, Clarke S. Cancer patient disclosure and patient-doctor communication of complementary and alternative medicine use: a systematic review.. Oncologist 2012;17:1475-81.

Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Domingues K, Franco NH, Rodrigues I, Stilwell G, Magalhães-Sant'Ana M. Bibliometric trend analysis of non-conventional (alternative) therapies in veterinary research. Vet Q 2022 Dec;42(1):192-198.
    doi: 10.1080/01652176.2022.2142318pubmed: 36316960google scholar: lookup
  2. Iwe C, Schiele A, Passenegg V, Corona D, Bettschart-Wolfensberger R, Heitzmann V. Does perioperative electroacupuncture reduce postoperative pain in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy?. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1513853.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1513853pubmed: 39840340google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,850 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.