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Equine veterinary journal1988; 20(2); 99-103; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1988.tb01468.x

Sudden and unexpected death in horses and ponies: an analysis of 200 cases.

Abstract: An analysis was made of the causes of death in horses and ponies over one year of age which died suddenly (Group 1) or were found dead but were considered normal when last seen (Group 2). There were 49 animals in Group 1. Thoroughbreds were overrepresented, but there were no ponies in this group. No cause of death was found in 30.6 per cent of cases and 16.3 per cent died from each of the following causes: haemorrhage in the respiratory system, central nervous system, and adverse drug reactions. Cardiovascular lesions were the cause of death in 14.4 per cent and the remaining 3.1 per cent had lesions of the gastrointestinal system. Racehorses mostly died suddenly from severe haemorrhage in various sites, particularly the thorax. In Group 2 there were 151 animals, and in 33.1 per cent no cause of death was determined. Gastrointestinal lesions were considered the cause of death in 39.2 per cent of cases and respiratory lesions killed 8.6 per cent. Lesions of both the central nervous system and cardiovascular system were considered the cause in 4.6 per cent of cases. The remaining 9.9 per cent of animals had miscellaneous lesions. Toxicological studies were performed in 46 of the total 200 cases, and only two had positive results; lead in one and nicotine in the other.
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Publication Date: 1988-03-01 PubMed ID: 3371329DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1988.tb01468.xGoogle 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.

The research was an analysis of sudden and unexpected death causes in horses and ponies, identifying causes as varied as hemorrhage, adverse drugs reactions, and cardiovascular or gastrointestinal lesions with a significant proportion having no known cause of death.

Introduction and Methodology

The research focused on analysing causes of sudden death in horses and ponies aged over a year. Two groups were designated during the study. Group 1, containing 49 animals, was comprised of horses that died suddenly while Group 2, consisted of 151 animals, were found dead but were presumed healthy when last seen.

Findings in Group 1

  • Despite no known cause of death being identified in 30.6% of horses in Group 1, thoroughbreds were overrepresented, but there were no ponies.
  • The study determined that 16.3% died from hemorrhage in the respiratory system, issues with the central nervous system, and adverse drug reactions.
  • About 14.4% died due to cardiovascular lesions and 3.1% from gastrointestinal system lesions.
  • Racehorses were primarily seen to die suddenly from severe haemorrhage, particularly in the thorax.

Findings in Group 2

  • In Group 2, which was larger, there was again a significant percentage (33.1%) for which no definitive cause of death was determined.
  • Gastrointestinal lesions were identified as the cause of death in 39.2% of these cases, with respiratory lesions causing 8.6% of deaths.
  • 4.6% of the deaths were attributed to lesions in the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system.
  • The remaining 9.9% of horses had miscellaneous lesions.

Toxicological Studies

  • Out of the total 200 cases in the study, toxicological studies were performed in 46 cases.
  • Only two of these studies yielded positive results, with one death being caused by lead and another by nicotine.

The study highlights the need for further research on sudden death in horses and ponies, as a significant proportion of cases failed to yield a definitive cause of death.

Cite This Article

APA
Brown CM, Kaneene JB, Taylor RF. (1988). Sudden and unexpected death in horses and ponies: an analysis of 200 cases. Equine Vet J, 20(2), 99-103. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1988.tb01468.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 20
Issue: 2
Pages: 99-103

Researcher Affiliations

Brown, C M
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824.
Kaneene, J B
    Taylor, R F

      MeSH Terms

      • Age Factors
      • Animals
      • Breeding
      • Death, Sudden / epidemiology
      • Death, Sudden / etiology
      • Death, Sudden / veterinary
      • Female
      • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
      • Horse Diseases / etiology
      • Horse Diseases / mortality
      • Horses
      • Male
      • Seasons
      • Sex Factors

      Citations

      This article has been cited 9 times.
      1. Bennet ED, Parkin TDH. Anomalous Incidence of Fatal Musculoskeletal Injury in North American 2-Year-Old Thoroughbred Racehorses in the Year 2020. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 9;13(16).
        doi: 10.3390/ani13162572pubmed: 37627362google scholar: lookup
      2. McCrae P, Spong H, Rutherford AA, Osborne V, Mahnam A, Pearson W. A Smart Textile Band Achieves High-Quality Electrocardiograms in Unrestrained Horses. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 23;12(23).
        doi: 10.3390/ani12233254pubmed: 36496775google scholar: lookup
      3. Hellings IR, Skjerve E, Karlstam E, Valheim M, Ihler CF, Fintl C. Racing-associated fatalities in Norwegian and Swedish harness racehorses: Incidence rates, risk factors, and principal postmortem findings. J Vet Intern Med 2022 Mar;36(2):778-786.
        doi: 10.1111/jvim.16364pubmed: 35060194google scholar: lookup
      4. Saey V, Vandecasteele T, van Loon G, Cornillie P, Ploeg M, Delesalle C, Gröne A, Gielen I, Ducatelle R, Chiers K. Friesian horses as a possible model for human acquired aortopulmonary fistulation. BMC Res Notes 2016 Aug 15;9(1):405.
        doi: 10.1186/s13104-016-2201-5pubmed: 27527829google scholar: lookup
      5. Olsen TF, Allen AL. Causes of sudden and unexpected death in cats: a 10-year retrospective study. Can Vet J 2001 Jan;42(1):61-2.
        pubmed: 11195527
      6. Olsen TF, Allen AL. Causes of sudden and unexpected death in dogs: a 10-year retrospective study. Can Vet J 2000 Nov;41(11):873-5.
        pubmed: 11126495
      7. Cameron-Whytock HA, O'Brien D, Lewis V, Parkin T, Bennet ED. Equine fatalities in equestrian eventing. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1387-1394.
        doi: 10.1111/evj.14529pubmed: 40371753google scholar: lookup
      8. Bennet ED, Parkin TDH. Novel risk factors associated with fatal musculoskeletal injury in Thoroughbreds in North American racing (2009-2023). Equine Vet J 2026 Jan;58(1):20-30.
        doi: 10.1111/evj.14503pubmed: 40134143google scholar: lookup
      9. Kelly-Bosma M, Henning J, Haworth M, Ploeg R, Woolford L, Neef A, Das S, Allavena R. A Multicentre Epidemiologic Study of Sudden and Unexpected Death in Adult Cats and Dogs in Australia. Vet Sci 2023 Sep 20;10(9).
        doi: 10.3390/vetsci10090582pubmed: 37756104google scholar: lookup
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