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Journal of animal science2013; 92(2); 844-855; doi: 10.2527/jas.2013-6692

Risk factors associated with health disorders in sport and leisure horses in the Netherlands.

Abstract: Horses are used for a wide variety of purposes from being used for recreational purposes to competing at an international level. With these different uses, horses have to adapt to numerous challenges and changes in their environment, which can be a challenge itself in continuously safeguarding their welfare. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of health disorders with clinical examination and identify possible risk factors of health disorders affecting horse welfare in professional husbandry systems in the Netherlands. With the use of fixed protocols for recording health aspects in horses, 150 horse farms voluntarily participating in the study were assessed by trained assessors. On each farm, 20 horses were clinically examined, in total almost 3,000 animals. This study recorded on the basis of the clinical examinations: the respiratory system (i.e., abnormal breathing [1%], coughing [1%], nasal discharge [1.9%]), body condition (i.e., 18.8% fat body condition and 6.4% poor body condition), locomotion (14.5% exhibited irregularity of locomotion and 4.8% were lame), back palpation (a light response [22.6%] and moderate to severe response [8.4%]), mouth (i.e., irregularities on mouth corners [3.4%] and bars [3.4%]), and ocular discharge (12%). Risk factor analysis, stepwise using mixed model regression, demonstrated several risk factors for health aspects. Horses used for instruction (riding lessons) were almost two times more at risk to develop moderate to severe back pain compared to horses used for recreation (odds ratios [OR] = 0.54) or for competition (OR = 0.61). Horses used for instruction (riding school lessons), breeding, or recreation all had a higher risk for irregular locomotion or lameness compared to competition horses (OR = 0.42, OR = 0.55, OR = 2.14, respectively). Horses used for recreation were more prone to have a higher BCS compared to horses used for breeding (OR = 3.07) and instruction (OR = 2.06). The prevalence of health problems and the identified risk factors are valid for the horses in the present study in which farms voluntarily participated. Furthermore, the results may provide the basis for horse welfare and health programs on farm and horse industry levels. With the development of a valid welfare monitoring system for the horse industry, the welfare of horses can be increased through improving awareness and stimulating changes in management.
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Publication Date: 2013-12-18 PubMed ID: 24352963DOI: 10.2527/jas.2013-6692Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This study examines the prevalence of health disorders in sport and leisure horses in the Netherlands, and attempts to identify risk factors that might affect horse welfare in professional husbandry systems.

Study Methodology

  • The research involved clinical examinations of 3000 horses from 150 horse farms that voluntarily participated in the study.
  • A fixed protocol was applied to record health aspects of the horses.
  • The health aspects examined included the respiratory system, body condition, locomotion, back palpation, mouth irregularities, and ocular discharge.

Key Findings

  • Some of the health disorders recorded through the clinical examinations included abnormal breathing, coughing, nasal discharge, poor or fat body condition, irregular locomotion and lameness, back discomfort, and mouth irregularities.
  • The study found that the use of horses plays a role in their health. For example, horses used for riding classes had nearly double the risk of developing severe back pain compared to those used for recreation or competition.
  • Horses used for riding lessons, breeding, or recreation had a higher risk of irregular locomotion or lameness compared to competition horses.
  • Horses used for recreation also had a higher chance of being overweight compared to those used for breeding and instruction.

Implications of the Study

  • The findings of this study are relevant only for the horses examined, which voluntarily participated through their farms.
  • The results serve as a foundation for the establishment of horse welfare and health programs at both the farm and horse industry levels.
  • By developing a monitoring system focused on horse welfare, the industry can raise awareness and encourage changes in management to improve the overall welfare of horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Visser EK, Neijenhuis F, de Graaf-Roelfsema E, Wesselink HG, de Boer J, van Wijhe-Kiezebrink MC, Engel B, van Reenen CG. (2013). Risk factors associated with health disorders in sport and leisure horses in the Netherlands. J Anim Sci, 92(2), 844-855. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2013-6692

Publication

Journal of animal science
ISSN: 1525-3163
NlmUniqueID: 8003002
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 92
Issue: 2
Pages: 844-855

Researcher Affiliations

Visser, E K
  • Livestock Research, Department of Animal Welfare, Wageningen University and Research Centre, PO Box 65, NL-8200 AB Lelystad, the Netherlands.
Neijenhuis, F
    de Graaf-Roelfsema, E
      Wesselink, H G M
        de Boer, J
          van Wijhe-Kiezebrink, M C
            Engel, B
              van Reenen, C G

                MeSH Terms

                • Animal Welfare
                • Animals
                • Data Collection
                • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                • Horse Diseases / etiology
                • Horses
                • Netherlands / epidemiology
                • Odds Ratio
                • Risk Factors
                • Sports

                Citations

                This article has been cited 25 times.
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