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Equine veterinary journal2011; 44(2); 143-148; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00387.x

Identification of risk factors for traumatic injury in the general horse population of north-west England, Midlands and north Wales.

Abstract: Traumatic injuries are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the horse and consequently pose a serious threat to horses' wellbeing. To date, there have been no published studies assessing the frequency of injuries in the general horse population of the UK. Objective: To obtain information regarding husbandry management strategies and injury prevalence in horses aged ≤15 years, with the aim of identifying predisposing risk factors for injury. Methods: A postal questionnaire was distributed to a randomly selected sample of horse owners across north-west England, Midlands and north Wales. Factors associated with injury were assessed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis performed with the binary outcome variable defined as whether or not the horse had sustained an injury within the previous 12 months. Results: A usable questionnaire response rate of 68% (652/953) was achieved. Forty percent of horses had sustained a traumatic injury within the past year, of which 62% occurred in the field and 13% during ridden exercise. Factors identified as being associated with an increased risk of traumatic injury included the following: breed other than cob or pony (P = 0.001), shorter duration of ownership (P = 0.002), being turned out with an increasing number of horses (P = 0.001), being used for competitive (P = 0.001) or Parelli (P = 0.006) purposes. Stabling at all times during the spring (P = 0.005), the use of wood fencing in paddocks (P = 0.05) and being prone to becoming distressed if left alone in a field (P = 0.04) were also found to be associated with an increased risk of injury. Stabling at all times during winter was associated with a decreased risk of injury (P = 0.006). Conclusions: Risk factors for sustaining injuries have been identified in association with management practices. This information may be used to educate owners regarding management of their horse(s) in order to prevent injury.
© 2011 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2011-06-23 PubMed ID: 21696429DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00387.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

The research article identifies the prominent risk factors that contribute to traumatic injuries in horses in north-west England, Midlands, and north Wales.

Methods and Sampling

  • The researchers used a postal questionnaire to gather information from a randomly selected group of horse owners. The sample covered different regions such as the Midlands, north Wales, and north-west England. The questions were formulated to assess injury prevalence and get insights into husbandry management strategies used for horses up to 15 years of age.
  • Injury associated factors were determined using both univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis. The binary outcome variable in the study was defined as whether the horse had experienced an injury within the past 12 months or not.
  • A high response rate of 68% (652 out of 953) was recorded, which helped in getting a broader understanding of the situation.

Results and Risk Factors

  • The findings indicated that 40% of horses subjected to the study had experienced a traumatic injury within the past 12 months. Significant proportions of these injuries occurred in the field (62%) and during ridden exercises (13%).
  • Risk factors discovered that increased the likelihood of trauma included being a breed other than cob or pony, being owned for shorter periods, being turned out along with an increasing number of horses, and being used for competitive or Parelli purposes. Furthermore, horses that were stable at all times during spring, those who encountered wooden fencing in paddocks, and horses that often got distressed when left alone in the field were found to be more susceptible to injuries.
  • The only factor associated with a decreased risk of injury was stabling the horses at all times during winter.

Conclusions and Implications

  • This study illuminates the risk factors related to management practices that could lead to traumatic injuries in horses. Understanding the identified risks can help horse owners modify their management practices and horse keeping strategy.
  • The findings can encourage owners to adopt preventative measures, reducing the risk of injuries for their horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Owen KR, Singer ER, Clegg PD, Ireland JL, Pinchbeck GL. (2011). Identification of risk factors for traumatic injury in the general horse population of north-west England, Midlands and north Wales. Equine Vet J, 44(2), 143-148. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00387.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 44
Issue: 2
Pages: 143-148

Researcher Affiliations

Owen, K R
  • Musculoskeletal and Locomotion Research Group; and Epidemiology and Public Health Research Group, School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Liverpool, UK. krowen@liv.ac.uk
Singer, E R
    Clegg, P D
      Ireland, J L
        Pinchbeck, G L

          MeSH Terms

          • Animal Husbandry / methods
          • Animals
          • England / epidemiology
          • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
          • Horses / injuries
          • Housing, Animal
          • Physical Conditioning, Animal
          • Risk Factors
          • Seasons
          • Surveys and Questionnaires
          • Wales / epidemiology
          • Wounds and Injuries / epidemiology
          • Wounds and Injuries / veterinary

          Citations

          This article has been cited 11 times.
          1. Riley CB, Rogers CW, Thompson KR, Guiver D, Padalino B. A Survey-Based Analysis of Injuries to Horses Associated with Transport by Road in New Zealand. Animals (Basel) 2022 Jan 21;12(3).
            doi: 10.3390/ani12030259pubmed: 35158585google scholar: lookup
          2. Jørgensen E, Bjarnsholt T, Jacobsen S. Biofilm and Equine Limb Wounds. Animals (Basel) 2021 Sep 27;11(10).
            doi: 10.3390/ani11102825pubmed: 34679846google scholar: lookup
          3. Wise LM, Stuart GS, Sriutaisuk K, Adams BR, Riley CB, Theoret CL. Anti-fibrotic Actions of Equine Interleukin-10 on Transforming Growth Factor-Beta1-Stimulated Dermal Fibroblasts Isolated From Limbs of Horses. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:577835.
            doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.577835pubmed: 33195583google scholar: lookup
          4. Hall C, Kay R, Green J. A Retrospective Survey of Factors Affecting the Risk of Incidents and Equine Injury During Non-Commercial Transportation by Road in the United Kingdom. Animals (Basel) 2020 Feb 12;10(2).
            doi: 10.3390/ani10020288pubmed: 32059511google scholar: lookup
          5. Kamus L, Rameau M, Theoret C. Feasibility of a disposable canister-free negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) device for treating open wounds in horses. BMC Vet Res 2019 Mar 6;15(1):78.
            doi: 10.1186/s12917-019-1829-5pubmed: 30841889google scholar: lookup
          6. Padalino B, Rogers CW, Guiver D, Thompson KR, Riley CB. A Survey-Based Investigation of Human Factors Associated With Transport Related Injuries in Horses. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:294.
            doi: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00294pubmed: 30525050google scholar: lookup
          7. Kamus LJ, Theoret C, Costa MC. Use of next generation sequencing to investigate the microbiota of experimentally induced wounds and the effect of bandaging in horses. PLoS One 2018;13(11):e0206989.
            doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206989pubmed: 30475922google scholar: lookup
          8. Scantlebury CE, Perkins E, Pinchbeck GL, Archer DC, Christley RM. Could it be colic? Horse-owner decision making and practices in response to equine colic. BMC Vet Res 2014;10 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S1.
            doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-10-S1-S1pubmed: 25238026google scholar: lookup
          9. 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).
            doi: 10.3390/ani15213136pubmed: 41227466google scholar: lookup
          10. Hussein KH, Motiea E, Hussein MT. Efficacy of xenogeneic fresh and lyophilized amniotic membranes on the healing of experimentally induced full-thickness skin wounds in dogs. Sci Rep 2025 May 4;15(1):15605.
            doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-95023-9pubmed: 40320419google scholar: lookup
          11. Schumacher A, Gehlen H. Health of Polo Horses. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jun 8;14(12).
            doi: 10.3390/ani14121735pubmed: 38929354google scholar: lookup
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