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Home / Equine Research Bank / Can Vet J / Survey of the equine broodmare industry, abortion, and equin...
The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne2021; 62(2); 124-132;

Survey of the equine broodmare industry, abortion, and equine herpesvirus-1 vaccination in Ontario.

Abstract: A survey of Ontario horse breeders was conducted in 2016 and retrospectively asked farm-level management questions regarding herd sizes, vaccination, respiratory disease, and abortion over the years 2014 to 2015. A total of 88 farm owners completed the survey, reporting 857 broodmares. Using logistic regression modelling, management influences on vaccine use, and the reporting of respiratory disease or abortion was investigated. Having veterinary records and the reasons for breeding were significantly associated with the odds of an abortion even after controlling for broodmare herd size. The odds of having respiratory illness on the farm were significantly greater if the farm was the primary source of income even after controlling for farm size. Respondents with primary breeding operations were more likely to utilize vaccines against equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1), independent of herd size. Veterinarians were more involved with abortions than with respiratory disease, leaving a significant gap in the opportunities for client education. . Une enquête auprès des éleveurs de chevaux de l’Ontario a été menée en 2016 et a posé des questions de gestion de l’écurie concernant la taille des troupeaux, la vaccination, les maladies respiratoires et l’avortement, rétrospectivement pour les années 2014 et 2015. Au total, 88 propriétaires d’écuries ont répondu à l’enquête avec 857 juments poulinières. Utilisant des modèles de régression logistique, l’influence du style gestionnaire sur l’utilisation des vaccins et la déclaration des maladies respiratoires ou de l’avortement a été étudiée. La probabilité d’avoir un avortement était significativement associée avec l’utilisation des dossiers vétérinaires et la raison de l’élevage. Les probabilités de souffrir de maladies respiratoires au niveau de la ferme étaient significativement plus élevées si l’écurie était la principale source de revenu. Les répondants ayant des établissements principalement d’élevage étaient plus susceptibles d’utiliser des vaccins contre HVE-1. Les vétérinaires étaient plus impliqués lors de cas d’avortements que lors de maladies respiratoires, ratant une belle opportunité pour l’éducation des clients.(Traduit par les auteurs).
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Publication Date: 2021-02-06 PubMed ID: 33542550PubMed Central: PMC7808208
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  • Journal Article

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 article is a survey on the practice and challenges in managing equine broodmare herds in Ontario, with a focus on vaccination against equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1), respiratory diseases, and incidences of abortion from 2014 to 2015.

Survey Method and Respondents

  • The research was conducted in 2016 and involved asking Ontario horse breeders about their farm management practices retrospectively for the years 2014 and 2015.
  • A total of 88 farm owners took part in the survey and reported on 857 broodmares in their care.
  • The survey inquired about herd sizes, vaccination practices, incidences of respiratory diseases, and cases of abortion in the herds.

Data Analysis and Findings

  • The researchers used logistic regression modeling to investigate the management factors that affect vaccine use and the reporting of respiratory diseases or abortions.
  • The study discovered that having veterinary records and the reasons for breeding were significant factors associated with the occurrence of an abortion, even after controlling for the broodmare herd size.
  • The probability of respiratory illnesses on farms was notably higher if the farm was the principal source of income, even after adjusting for farm size.
  • Respondents whose primary operations were breeding were more likely to use vaccines against equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1), regardless of the herd size.

Role of Veterinarians

  • The involvement of veterinarians was more prominent in abortion cases as opposed to respiratory disease scenarios, indicating a potential gap in client education.
  • The research suggests that veterinarians could play a more significant role in educating clients about managing and preventing respiratory diseases in equine broodmare herds.

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • Overall, the study findings reveal key trends and challenges in managing equine broodmare herds, particularly in relation to abortion, respiratory diseases, and EHV-1 vaccination.
  • Efforts should be made to improve farm management practices and vaccination programs, with veterinary professionals playing a more substantial role in providing education and advice to breeders.

Cite This Article

APA
Cooper CJ, Arroyo LG, Pearl DL, Hewson J, Lillie BN. (2021). Survey of the equine broodmare industry, abortion, and equine herpesvirus-1 vaccination in Ontario. Can Vet J, 62(2), 124-132.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 62
Issue: 2
Pages: 124-132

Researcher Affiliations

Cooper, Carina J
  • Department of Pathobiology (Cooper, Lillie), Department of Clinical Studies (Arroyo, Hewson), and Department of Population Medicine (Pearl), Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road West, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1.
Arroyo, Luis G
  • Department of Pathobiology (Cooper, Lillie), Department of Clinical Studies (Arroyo, Hewson), and Department of Population Medicine (Pearl), Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road West, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1.
Pearl, David L
  • Department of Pathobiology (Cooper, Lillie), Department of Clinical Studies (Arroyo, Hewson), and Department of Population Medicine (Pearl), Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road West, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1.
Hewson, Joanne
  • Department of Pathobiology (Cooper, Lillie), Department of Clinical Studies (Arroyo, Hewson), and Department of Population Medicine (Pearl), Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road West, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1.
Lillie, Brandon N
  • Department of Pathobiology (Cooper, Lillie), Department of Clinical Studies (Arroyo, Hewson), and Department of Population Medicine (Pearl), Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road West, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1.

MeSH Terms

  • Abortion, Veterinary / epidemiology
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Herpesviridae Infections / epidemiology
  • Herpesviridae Infections / prevention & control
  • Herpesviridae Infections / veterinary
  • Herpesvirus 1, Equid
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / prevention & control
  • Horses
  • Ontario / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Vaccination / veterinary

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Cooper CJ, Arroyo LG, Hammermueller JD, Botts MM, Pearl DL, Wootton SK, Lillie BN. Molecular prevalence of equine alphaherpesvirus-1 shedding in healthy broodmares in Ontario. Can J Vet Res 2026 Jan;90(1):16-24.
    pubmed: 41585008
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