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Schweizer Archiv fur Tierheilkunde2021; 163(5); 339-350; doi: 10.17236/sat00301

[Prevalence of health problems in midlife Swiss warm-blooded horses].

Abstract: The breeding of a healthy horse is the basic requirement for optimal performance. This is also specifically stated in the breeding goal of the Swiss warmblood horse and should be achieved through a strict selection of the stallions. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the current state of the population to optimize breeding. Data on the health status of Swiss warmblood horses in the age between 6 and 16 years (midlife) were collected by a telephone survey and analyzed descriptively. Following the heritability of the most common health problems were estimated. Data on 1,861 horses were collected between 2016 and 2018. Lameness (34%), colic (22%), sarcoids (19%), and pastern dermatitis (16%) were among the most common health problems, followed by back problems (13%), cough (10%), urticaria (10%), free fecal water syndrome (9%), nasal discharge (8%) and sweet itch (4%). Lameness was observed in 49% of the cases in the forelimbs, in 25% in the hindlimbs and in 26% in both. 27% of horses with colic have been hospitalized once and 8% have undergone colic surgery. Sarcoids became fewer or smaller in 89% of the treated and in 58% of the untreated horses. A significant relationship between treatment and the status of the sarcoids was demonstrated (p . Die Zucht eines gesunden Pferdes stellt eine Grundvoraussetzung für optimale Leistung dar. Dies wird auch im Zuchtziel des Schweizer Warmblutpferdes spezifisch festgehalten und soll durch eine strenge Selektion der Hengste erreicht werden. Um die Zucht zu optimieren, muss der aktuelle Zustand der Population bekannt sein, was das Ziel der vorliegenden, retrospektiven Studie war. Mittels einer telefonischen Umfrage wurden Daten zum Gesundheitszustand der Schweizer Warmblutpferde im Alter von 6–16 Jahren (mittleres Alter) während ihres bisherigen Lebens gesammelt und deskriptiv aufbereitet. Anschliessend wurden die Heritabilitäten der häufigsten Gesundheitsprobleme geschätzt. Insgesamt konnten zwischen 2016 und 2018 Daten zu 1861 Pferden erhoben werden. Lahmheit (34%), Kolik (22%), Sarkoide (19%) und Mauke (16%) gehörten zu den am häufigsten vorkommenden Gesundheitsproblemen, gefolgt von Rückenproblemen (13%), Husten (10%), Nesselfieber (10%), Kotwasser (9%), Nasenausfluss (8%) und Sommerekzem (4%). Bei 49% der lahmen Pferde war eine Vordergliedmasse betroffen, bei 25% eine Hintergliedmasse, bei 26% beides. 27% der Pferde mit Kolik wurden bereits einmal hospitalisiert und 8% einer Kolikoperation unterzogen. Sarkoide wurden weniger oder kleiner bei 89% der therapierten, aber auch bei 58% der nicht therapierten Pferde. Es konnte ein signifikanter Zusammenhang zwischen Therapie und dem Status der Sarkoide nachgewiesen werden (p . L’élevage d’un cheval en bonne santé représente une condition de base pour une performance optimale. Ceci est également spécifiquement mentionné dans l’objectif d’élevage du cheval de sang suisse et doit être atteint par une sélection stricte des étalons. Afin d’optimiser l’élevage, il faut connaître l’état actuel de la population, ce qui était le but de cette étude rétrospective. Au moyen d’une enquête téléphonique, des données sur l’état de santé des chevaux de sang suisses âgés de 6 à 16 ans (âge moyen) ont été collectées et traitées de manière descriptive. Les héritabilités des problèmes de santé les plus courants ont ensuite été estimées. Au total, les données de1861 chevaux ont été collectés entre 2016 et 2018. Les boiteries (34%), les coliques (22%), les sarcoïdes (19%) et les crevasses (16%) figuraient parmi les problèmes de santé les plus courants, suivis des problèmes de dos (13%), de la toux (10%), des urticaires (10%), d’écoulements anaux (« Kotwasser ») (9%), d’écoulements nasaux (8%) et de dermite estivale (4%). Chez 49% des chevaux boiteux, il s’agissait d’une boiterie antérieure, chez 25% d’une boiterie postérieure et chez 26% d’une boiterie impliquant antérieurs et postérieurs. 27% des chevaux présentant des coliques avaient été hospitalisés et 8% avaient subi une chirurgie de coliques. Les sarcoïdes sont devenus moins nombreux ou plus petits chez 89% des chevaux traités mais également chez 58% des chevaux non traités. Une relation significative entre le traitement et l’état des sarcoïdes a pu être démontrée (p . Allevare un cavallo sano è un requisito fondamentale per ottenere prestazioni ottimali. Questo è anche specificamente indicato nell’obiettivo per l’allevamento dei cavalli a sangue caldo svizzeri ed esso dovrebbe essere raggiunto attraverso una rigorosa selezione degli stalloni. Per poter ottimizzare l’allevamento, è necessario conoscere lo stato attuale della popolazione; questo era l’obiettivo di questo studio retrospettivo. Via un’indagine telefonica, sono stati raccolti i dati sullo stato di salute dei cavalli a sangue caldo svizzeri di età compresa tra i 6 e i 16 anni (età media) fino ad oggi, e tali dati sono stati elaborati in modo descrittivo. Sono state quindi stimate le ereditabilità dei problemi di salute più comuni. I dati su un totale di 1861 cavalli sono stati raccolti tra il 2016 e il 2018 e tra i problemi di salute più comuni sono stati rilevati zoppia (34%), coliche (22%), sarcoidi (19%) e febbre da fango (16%), seguiti da problemi alla schiena (13%), tosse (10%), orticaria (10%), acqua fecale (9%), secrezione nasale (8%) e prurito dolce (4%). Nei cavalli affetti da zoppia, era stato colpito nel 49% un arto anteriore, nel 25% un arto posteriore e nel 26% entrambi. Il 27% dei cavalli affetti da coliche era già stato ricoverato e l’8% aveva già subito un intervento per le coliche. Nell’89% dei cavalli trattati, i sarcoidi erano meno o più piccoli ma pure nel 58% dei cavalli non trattati. Una relazione significativa è stata dimostrata tra la terapia e lo stato dei sarcoidi (p .
Publication Date: 2021-05-05 PubMed ID: 33941510DOI: 10.17236/sat00301Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The study looks into the most common health issues found in Swiss warmblood horses between the ages of 6 and 16. The main health issues detected were lameness, colic, sarcoids, and pastern dermatitis. Data was collected through a telephone survey from 2016 to 2018 and also used to estimate the heritability of these health problems.

Background and Aim of the Study

  • These researchers conducted a retrospective study to examine the prevalence of health problems in middle-aged Swiss warmblood horses, a popular breed known for its versatility in performance.
  • The objective was to acquire a better understanding of these health issues, enough to improve breeding programs and health management strategies in these animals.

Methodology and Findings

  • The study was conducted through a telephone survey from 2016 to 2018.
  • Data was collected on 1,861 horses, making the study fairly large-scale and comprehensive.
  • The most common health issues observed were lameness (34%), colic (22%), sarcoids (19%), and pastern dermatitis (16%) followed by back problems, cough, urticaria, free fecal water syndrome, nasal discharge, and sweet itch.
  • The lameness was primarily observed in the forelimbs (49%) and less so in the hindlimbs (25%) and in both (26%).

Significance of Results and Conclusion

  • The results of the survey pointed to a high prevalence of health issues among Swiss warmblood horses.
  • These results could be helpful to breeders and horse owners in the management and treatment of these prevalent health issues, potentially improving the quality of life and performance of these horses.
  • Further studies could delve deeper into the causes and potential genetic components of these health problems, to better inform treatment and prevention strategies, as well as breeding goals.

Cite This Article

APA
Altermatt N, Dolf G, Ramseyer A, Burger D, Gerber V. (2021). [Prevalence of health problems in midlife Swiss warm-blooded horses]. Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd, 163(5), 339-350. https://doi.org/10.17236/sat00301

Publication

ISSN: 1664-2848
NlmUniqueID: 0424247
Country: Switzerland
Language: ger
Volume: 163
Issue: 5
Pages: 339-350

Researcher Affiliations

Altermatt, N
  • Institut suisse de médecine équine (ISME), Vetsuisse-Fakultät, Universität Bern und Agroscope, Avenches.
Dolf, G
  • Institut für Genetik, Vetsuisse-Fakultät, Universität Bern.
Ramseyer, A
  • Institut suisse de médecine équine (ISME), Vetsuisse-Fakultät, Universität Bern und Agroscope, Avenches.
Burger, D
  • Institut suisse de médecine équine (ISME), Vetsuisse-Fakultät, Universität Bern und Agroscope, Avenches.
Gerber, V
  • Institut suisse de médecine équine (ISME), Vetsuisse-Fakultät, Universität Bern und Agroscope, Avenches.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Forelimb
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Switzerland / epidemiology