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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.
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Publication Date: 2021-04-26 PubMed ID: 33899957DOI: 10.1002/vetr.303Google Scholar: Lookup
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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

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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
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