FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Equine veterinary journal2024; 57(3); 684-702; doi: 10.1111/evj.14200

Owner-reported health and disease in U.S. senior horses.

Abstract: Information on health care and health status of U.S. senior horses (≥15 years of age) is currently sparse. Objective: (A) Provide an overview of owner-reported (1) medical conditions, (2) management/treatment practices for equine metabolic syndrome and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), (3) frequencies of routine health care practices and (4) supplement and pharmaceutical use in U.S. senior horses (≥15 years of age). (B) Evaluate potential risk factors for certain medical conditions and for low routine health care. Methods: Online survey. Methods: Descriptive and inferential analysis (binomial logistic regression and ANOVA) of 2717 questionnaires from owners of U.S. senior horses. Results: The most common owner-reported veterinary-diagnosed medical conditions were osteoarthritis (30%), dental disorders (15%), lameness (14%), PPID (12%) and ocular disorders (6%). Advancing age was found to be a risk factor for PPID (odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval, CI] = 1.14 [1.10-1.18]), dental (OR [95% CI] = 1.18 [1.15-1.22]) and ocular (OR [95% CI] = 1.05 [1.01-1.10]) disorders. Only 36% of horses were free of owner-reported veterinary-diagnosed medical conditions at the time of the survey. During the year prior to the survey, most routine healthcare practices (i.e., veterinary health care, dental care and anthelmintic treatment) were typically undertaken one to two times per year, while farrier visits occurred mostly every 5-6 weeks. Retired senior horses had a higher risk of no health care visits (OR [95% CI] = 2.1 [1.38-3.06]), no dental care (OR [95% CI] = 2.0 [1.31-3.00]) and low farrier attendance (i.e., ≤4 times/year) (OR [95% CI] = 2.4 [1.57-3.63]) compared with senior horses used for pleasure riding. The most frequently administered drug was firocoxib (18%) and joint supplements were the most provided supplements (41%). Conclusions: Potential recall, response and sampling bias. Risk factor analyses do not establish causal relationships. Conclusions: Medical conditions are highly prevalent in U.S. senior horses. Retired senior horses have an increased risk of low routine health care. Unassigned: Informationen über die Gesundheitsversorgung und den Gesundheitszustand älterer Pferde in den USA (≥15 Jahre alt) sind derzeit spärlich. Unassigned: A: Einen Überblick über von Besitzern gemeldete 1) Erkrankungen, 2) Management‐/Behandlungspraktiken für das Equine Metabolische Syndrom (EMS) und die Dysfunktion der Pars Intermedia der Hypophyse (PPID), 3) Häufigkeiten routinemäßiger Gesundheitsversorgungspraktiken und 4) Verwendung von Nahrungsergaenzungsmittel und Pharmazeutika bei älteren US‐Pferden (≥15 Jahre alt) geben. B: Potenzielle Risikofaktoren für bestimmte Erkrankungen und für geringe routinemäßige Gesundheitsversorgung bewerten. Methods: Online‐Umfrage. Methods: Deskriptive und inferenzielle Analyse (binomiale logistische Regression und ANOVA) von 2717 Fragebögen von Besitzern älterer US‐Pferde. Results: Die häufigsten von Besitzern gemeldeten, veterinärmedizinisch diagnostizierten Krankheiten waren Osteoarthritis (30%), Zahnstörungen (15%), Lahmheit (14%), PPID (12%) und Augenerkrankungen (6%). Ein fortgeschrittenes Alter wurde als Risikofaktor für PPID (OR = 1,14), Zahnprobleme (OR = 1,18) und Augenstörungen (OR = 1,05) identifiziert. Nur 36% der Pferde waren zum Zeitpunkt der Umfrage frei von von Besitzern gemeldeten, veterinärmedizinisch diagnostizierten Krankheiten. Im Jahr vor der Umfrage wurden die meisten routinemäßigen Gesundheitsversorgungsmaßnahmen (d. h. tierärztliche Gesundheitsversorgung, Zahnbehandlung und anthelminthische Behandlung) in der Regel 1–2 MaL pro Jahr durchgeführt, während Hufschmiedbesuche meist alle 5–6 Wochen stattfanden. Ältere, pensionierte Pferde hatten ein höheres Risiko für fehlende Gesundheitsversorgungsbesuche (OR = 2,1), fehlende Zahnbehandlung (OR = 2,0) und geringe Hufschmiedbesuche (d. h. ≤ 4 MaL/Jahr) (OR = 2,4) im Vergleich zu älteren Pferden, die zum Vergnügen geritten wurden. Das am häufigsten verabreichte Medikament war Firocoxib (18%) und gelenkspezifische Nahrungsergänzungsmittel waren die am häufigsten verabreichten Ergänzungsmittel (41%). WICHTIGSTE EINSCHRÄNKUNGEN: Potenzielles Erinnerungs‐, Antwort‐ und Stichprobenbias. Risikofaktoranalysen stellen keine kausalen Zusammenhänge her. Unassigned: Erkrankungen sind bei älteren US‐Pferden weit verbreitet. Pensionierte ältere Pferde haben ein erhöhtes Risiko für geringe routinemäßige Gesundheitsversorgung.
© 2024 EVJ Ltd.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2024-08-02 PubMed ID: 39092919DOI: 10.1111/evj.14200Google 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.

The research article explores the health conditions, management practices, and the use of supplements and pharmaceuticals for senior horses in the U.S. It also evaluates risk factors associated with certain health conditions and low routine health care among these horses.

Research Objectives and Methods

  • The primary objective of the study was to provide an overview of the medical conditions faced by senior horses in the U.S. It also aimed at understanding the treatment practices for equine metabolic syndrome and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), frequently engaged routine health care practices, and the usage of supplements and pharmaceuticals in these horses.
  • The secondary objective was to evaluate the potential risk factors for certain medical conditions and for low routine health care.
  • The methodology employed was an online survey, which gathered information from 2717 questionnaires filled out by owners of U.S. senior horses.
  • The collected data was then subjected to descriptive and inferential analysis such as binomial logistic regression and ANOVA.

Key Findings

  • The most prevalent owner-reported veterinary-diagnosed medical conditions in these senior horses were osteoarthritis (30%), dental disorders (15%), lameness (14%), PPID (12%), and ocular disorders (6%). Only 36% of the horses were devoid of any owner-reported veterinary-diagnosed medical conditions.
  • It was found that advancing age was a risk factor for certain medical conditions like PPID, dental, and ocular disorders.
  • Most of the regular health care practices such as veterinary health care, dental care, and anthelmintic treatment were typically undertaken one to two times per year, while farrier visits mostly occurred every 5-6 weeks.
  • Retired senior horses had a higher risk of no health care visits, no dental care, and low farrier attendance compared with senior horses used for pleasure riding.
  • Firocoxib was the most commonly administered drug (18%), and joint supplements were the most provided supplements (41%).

Limitations and Conclusion

  • The study acknowledges potential recall, response, and sampling bias in its methodology.
  • Although it identified certain risks associated with various health conditions, it does not establish any causal relationships.
  • The study concludes that medical conditions are highly prevalent in U.S. senior horses. Additionally, it notes an increased tendency for retired senior horses to have low routine health care.

Cite This Article

APA
Herbst AC, Coleman MC, Macon EL, Harris PA, Adams AA. (2024). Owner-reported health and disease in U.S. senior horses. Equine Vet J, 57(3), 684-702. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14200

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 57
Issue: 3
Pages: 684-702

Researcher Affiliations

Herbst, Alisa C
  • M. H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Coleman, Michelle C
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
Macon, Erica L
  • M. H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Harris, Patricia A
  • Equine Studies Group, Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Leicestershire, UK.
Adams, Amanda A
  • MARS EquestrianTM Research Fellow, M. H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / therapy
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Female
  • Aging
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Risk Factors
  • Ownership
  • Humans

Grant Funding

  • Buckeye™ Nutrition
  • Hughes Foundation
  • MARS Equestrian™

References

This article includes 29 references
  1. Ireland JL, Clegg PD, McGowan CM, McKane SA, Pinchbeck GL. A cross‐sectional study of geriatric horses in the United Kingdom. Part 2: Health care and disease.. Equine Vet J 2011;43:37–44.
  2. Ireland JL, Clegg PD, McGowan CM, McKane SA, Pinchbeck GL. A cross‐sectional study of geriatric horses in the United Kingdom. Part 1: Demographics and management practices.. Equine Vet J 2011;43:30–36.
  3. McGowan TW, Pinchbeck GL, Phillips CJC, Perkins N, Hodgson DR, McGowan CM. A survey of aged horses in Queensland, Australia. Part 1: Management and preventive health care.. Aust Vet J 2010;88:420–427.
  4. McGowan TW, Pinchbeck G, Phillips CJC, Perkins N, Hodgson DR, McGowan CM. A survey of aged horses in Queensland, Australia. Part 2: Clinical signs and owners' perceptions of health and welfare.. Aust Vet J 2010;88:465–471.
  5. Mueller MK, Sween C, Frank N, Paradis MR. Survey of human‐horse relationships and veterinary care for geriatric horses.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2018;253:337–345.
  6. Bushell R, Murray J. A survey of senior equine management: owner practices and confidence.. Livestock Sci 2016;186:69–77.
  7. Ballou ME, Mueller MK, Dowling‐Guyer S. Aging equines: understanding the experience of caring for a geriatric horse with a chronic condition.. J Equine Vet 2020;90:102993.
  8. Brosnahan MM, Paradis MR. Assessment of clinical characteristics, management practices, and activities of geriatric horses.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2003;223:99–103.
  9. Brosnahan MM, Paradis MR. Demographic and clinical characteristics of geriatric horses: 467 cases (1989–1999).. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2003;223:93–98.
  10. Silva AG, Furr MO. Diagnoses, clinical pathology findings, and treatment outcome of geriatric horses: 345 cases (2006‐2010).. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2013;243:1762–1768.
  11. Ireland JL. Demographics, management, preventive health care and disease in aged horses.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2016;32:195–214.
  12. Herbst A, Coleman M, Macon E, Brokman A, Stromberg A, Harris P. Retirement risk factors, exercise management, and muscle mass in U.S. senior horses.. Equine Vet J 2024;56:522–534.
  13. R Core Team. R: a language and environment for statistical computing.. Vienna, Austria: R Foundation for Statistical Computing; 2021.
  14. McLeod AI, Xu C, Lai Y. bestglm: Best subset GLM and regression utilities.. 2020.
  15. Fox J, Weisberg S. An R companion to applied regression.. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; 2019.
  16. Ireland J, McGowan C. Epidemiology of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction: a systematic literature review of clinical presentation, disease prevalence and risk factors.. Vet J 2018;235:22–33.
  17. McGowan T, Pinchbeck G, McGowan C. Prevalence, risk factors and clinical signs predictive for equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction in aged horses.. Equine Vet J 2013;45:74–79.
  18. Equine Endocrinology Group. The 2019 EEG recommendations on diagnosis and management of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID).. 2019.
  19. Hartmann KS, Liburt NR, Malinowski K. Rutgers equine science center industry needs assessment survey 2016.. J Equine Vet 2017;48:1–8.
  20. Herbst A, Hartmann K, Brown DO, Malinowski K. 160 United States equine community: information sources used and equine health‐related issues considered most important.. J Equine Vet 2023;124:104506.
  21. Hart K, Durham A, Frank N, McGowan C, Schott H, Stewart A. Recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). Equine Endocrinology Group.. 2021.
  22. Li FI, Spence RJ, de Laat MA, Harris PA, Sonntag J, Menzies‐Gow NJ. Association between insulin dysregulation and adrenocorticotropic hormone in aged horses and ponies with no clinical signs of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction.. Equine Vet J 2023;55:1003–1011.
  23. Knowles E, Moreton‐Clack M, Shaw S, Harris PA, Elliott J, Menzies‐Gow NJ. Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentrations in ponies measured by two different assays suggests seasonal cross‐reactivity or interference.. Equine Vet J 2018;50:672–677.
  24. Jacob S, Geor R, Weber P, Harris PA, McCue ME. Effect of dietary carbohydrates and time of year on ACTH and cortisol concentrations in adult and aged horses.. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2018;63:15–22.
  25. USDA. Baseline Reference of Equine Health and Management in the United States, 2015.. Fort Collins, CO: USDA–APHIS–VS–CEAH–NAHMS. 2016.
  26. Equine Endocrinology Group. Recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS).. 2020.
  27. Frank N, Geor RJ, Bailey S, Durham AE, Johnson PJ. Equine metabolic syndrome.. J Vet Intern Med 2010;24:467–475.
  28. Shepherd M, Harris P, Martinson KL. Nutritional considerations when dealing with an obese adult equine.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2021;37:111–137.
  29. Donnell JR, Frisbie DD. Use of firocoxib for the treatment of equine osteoarthritis.. Vet Med 2014;5:159–168.

Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Chabronova A, Walters M, Regårdh S, Jacobsen S, Bundgaard L, Anderson JR, Peffers MJ. Exploring the roles of snoRNA-induced ribosome heterogeneity in equine osteoarthritis. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1562508.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1562508pubmed: 40709001google scholar: lookup
  2. Visser EK, Jens AL, Nieuwe Weme LE, Spaapen AA, Maarleveld KN, Enzerink KH, Tromp PN, Haven-Pross SC. Assessing Equine Behavioural Responses in Equine-Assisted Services: A Field Study Analysis. Animals (Basel) 2025 Feb 25;15(5).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15050671pubmed: 40075954google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,727 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.