Retrospective Analysis of Cause-of-Death at an Equine Retirement Center in the Netherlands Over an Eight-Year Period.

The study investigates the cause of death in older horses at a retirement center in the Netherlands, with a particular focus on whether a condition known as Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) had any influence on mortality rates.

Objective and Methodology

• The primary objective of the study was to establish the most common causes of death in elderly horses at retirement facilities and whether pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), a hormone disorder, has an effect on mortality rate.
• An eight-year retrospective analysis of data was conducted, involving 194 horses of which 80 were considered geriatric (over 15 years old).

Key Findings

• The researchers found that the most common causes of death for older horses at the facility were colic (a severe, often fluctuating pain in the abdomen) at 20%, old age at 19%, and lameness at 15%.
• The average age at death was 26.2 years, and the overall mortality rate was 16.3 per 100 horse years at risk.
• Approximately 95% of horses were euthanized due to severity of their conditions.
• PPID was observed in 48.8% of the horses at the center; however, its treatment did not significantly affect the age of death.

Implications and Recommendations

• These findings may have a significant impact on veterinary surgeons and stable managers who care for geriatric horses.
• The results suggest that proactive management of conditions such as colic and lameness could potentially improve the welfare and lifespan of these animals.
• The study also highlights that the treatment of PPID may not necessarily extend the horse’s life, which could influence how this condition is managed in geriatric horses.
• The authors recommend further research focusing on the effect of treatment on welfare status.