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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Retirement risk factors, exercise management and muscle mass...
Equine veterinary journal2023; doi: 10.1111/evj.13958

Retirement risk factors, exercise management and muscle mass in US senior horses.

Abstract: Information on the management and health of US senior horses (≥15 years of age) is currently limited. Objective: Provide information on (1) primary use of US senior horses, (2) reasons and risk factors for horse retirement, (3) exercise management, (4) prevalence of low muscle mass and (5) risk factors for, and owner-perceived consequences of, low muscle mass. Methods: Online survey. Methods: Survey responses from 2717 owners of U.S.-resident senior horses (≥15 years of age) were analysed descriptively and inferentially, using ordered and binomial logistic regression, ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: The most frequently reported primary uses were pleasure riding/driving (38.5%) and full retirement (39.8%). Most horses (61.5%) were retired between 15 and 24 years of age, with health problems being the main reason. Age, female sex, Thoroughbred breed and various medical conditions were identified as risk factors for retirement. In working horses (i.e., those not retired or semi-retired), exercise intensity was negatively associated with age. The owner-reported prevalence of low muscle mass in all horses was 17.2% (95%CI = 15.7-18.7). In those affected by low muscle mass, the ability to work and welfare-related aspects were commonly perceived to be impaired. Increasing age, sex (gelding), pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, osteoarthritis, laminitis and primary use (retired and semi-retired vs. use for competition) were identified as risk factors for owner-reported low muscle mass. Conclusions: Potential response, recall and sampling bias. Causal relationships cannot be established. Conclusions: Although structured exercise into old age may provide health benefits (as seen in elderly people), a large proportion of horses were fully retired in the current study. Senior horses were mainly retired for health problems and characterising these problems may aid in extending their work/active life. Low muscle mass was perceived to affect horses' welfare and ability to work, and identification of prevention and treatment strategies is therefore warranted. Unassigned: Informationen bezüglich des Managements und der Gesundheit von U.S. Seniorenpferden (≥15 Jahre alt) sind derzeit limitiert. Unassigned: Bereitstellung von Informationen bezüglich (1) des primären Gebrauches von U.S. Seniorenpferden, (2) Gründen und Risikofaktoren für Eintritt in den Ruhestand, (3) des Training Managements, (4) der Prävalenz geringer Muskelmasse, (5) Risikofaktoren für, und von Besitzern wahrgenommene Konsequenzen von, geringer Muskelmasse. Methods: U.S. Querschnittsstudie. Methods: 2717 Umfragen vonseiten Besitzern von in den USA ansässigen Seniorenpferden (>15 Jahre alt) wurden mithilfe geordneter und binominaler logistischen Regression, ANOVA, und des Kruskal-Wallis Tests deskriptiv und inferenzstatistisch analysiert. Unassigned: Die am häufigsten berichtete Nutzung waren Freizeitreiten/-fahren (38.5%) und vollständiger Ruhestand (39.8%). Die meisten Pferde (61.5%) wurden im Alter zwischen 15 und 24 Jahren in den Ruhestand versetzt, Hauptgrund waren Gesundheitsprobleme. Alter, weibliches Geschlecht, Vollblutrasse und verschiedene Erkrankungen wurden als Risikofaktoren für Eintritt in den Ruhestand identifiziert. Bei Pferden in Arbeit (d.h. jene nicht im Ruhestand oder teilweise im Ruhestand) war Trainingsintensität negativ mit dem Alter assoziiert. Die von Besitzern berichtete Prävalenz von geringer Muskelmasse in allen Pferden war 17.2% (95%KI = 15.7-18.7). Bei Pferden mit geringer Muskelmasse wurden die Arbeitsfähigkeit und mit dem Tierwohl zusammenhängende Aspekte häufig als beeinträchtigt wahrgenommen. Zunehmendes Alter, Geschlecht (Wallach), Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunktion, Osteoarthritis, Hufrehe, und primäre Nutzung (im Ruhestand oder Teilruhestand gegenüber Einsatz bei Wettkämpfen) wurden als Risikofaktoren für von Besitzern berichtete geringe Muskelmasse identifiziert. HAUPTEINSCHRÄNKUNGEN: Potentielle Antworten, Erinnerungsverzerrung, und Proben Bias. Kausale Beziehungen können nicht hergeleitet werden. Unassigned: Obwohl strukturiertes Training bis ins hohe Alter Gesundheitsvorteile verschaffen kann (wie in älteren Menschen beobachtet), war ein großer Anteil der Pferde in dieser Studie gänzlich im Ruhestand. Ältere Pferde waren hauptsächlich aufgrund Gesundheitsproblemen in den Ruhestand eingetreten und eine Charakterisierung dieser Probleme könnte zu der Verlängerung ihres Trainings/aktiven Lebens beitragen. Geringe Muskelmasse wurde als Beeinträchtigung des tierischen Wohlbefindens und Trainingsvermögens wahrgenommen. Identifikation von Präventions- und Behandlungsstrategien ist deshalb wesentlich.
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Publication Date: 2023-06-21 PubMed ID: 37341387DOI: 10.1111/evj.13958Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research investigates the health, retirement reasons, exercise management, and prevalence of low muscle mass in senior horses in the US, through an analysis of survey responses from 2717 horse owners. The findings suggest that most horses retire due to health problems and that proper characterisation of these could aid in prolonging their active lives.

Research Methods and Demographics

  • The study was based on an online survey where the responses of 2717 owners of US-resident senior horses, aged 15 years or more, were analysed.
  • The collected data was examined using various statistical methods such as ordered and binomial logistic regression, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the Kruskal-Wallis test.

Key Findings

  • The primary use of most surveyed horses was for pleasure riding/driving and full retirement. The majority of horses were retired between 15 and 24 years of age with the primary reason being health problems.
  • Risk factors for horse retirement included increasing age, being of female sex, being a Thoroughbred breed, and suffering from various medical conditions. For active horses, those assigned to professional tasks or competitions, exercise intensity was negatively correlated with age.
  • The study reported that 17.2% of horses in the study had low muscle mass, as reported by owners. Low muscle mass was commonly seen as impacting the horses’ ability to perform work and their overall welfare.
  • Risk factors for low muscle mass as reported by owners were increasing age, being a gelding (neutered male horse), suffering from pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, osteoarthritis, laminitis, and being either retired or semi-retired.

Limitations of the Study

  • The study mentions potential biases such as response bias, recall bias, and sampling bias. The former two are related to the self-reporting nature of the survey, where horse owners might not accurately report every aspect of their horses’ health and lifestyle habits.
  • One important limitation identified by the researchers is that the study cannot establish cause-effect relationships due to its observational nature.
  • They also flagged the limited existing information on the management and health of older horses. Deeper understanding of these topics could lead to better strategies for preventing health issues and prolonging active life in horses.

Implications of the Research

  • The research underlines the importance of structured exercise in promoting the health of senior horses, similar to its effects in elderly people.
  • The findings highlight the prevalence of low muscle mass and the associated welfare concerns in senior horses. This stresses the importance of identifying prevention and treatment strategies for this condition.

Cite This Article

APA
Herbst AC, Coleman MC, Macon EL, Brokman A, Stromberg AJ, Harris PA, Adams AA. (2023). Retirement risk factors, exercise management and muscle mass in US senior horses. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13958

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

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.
Brokman, Aviv
  • Department of Statistics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Stromberg, Arnold J
  • Department of Statistics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Harris, Pat A
  • Equine Studies Group, Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Leicestershire, UK.
Adams, Amanda A
  • MARS EQUESTRIAN™ Research Fellow, M. H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.

Grant Funding

  • BuckeyeTM nutrition
  • Geoffrey C. Hughes Foundation
  • MARS EquestrianTM

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