Survey reveals high risk of injury to equine vets.

The abstract discusses a study which reveals the high risk of injury experienced by equine veterinarians in the UK, making it one of the most dangerous civilian occupations.

Background of the Research

• The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) commissioned the study in response to anecdotal evidence suggesting that vets working with horses frequently sustained injuries at work. However, the specific types and prevalence of these injuries had not yet been quantified.
• This prompted BEVA’s initiative to better understand the risks associated with equine veterinary practice and look for ways to reduce the incidence of injuries.
• The findings have implications on the overall well-being and safety protocols within the profession.

Methodology and Findings

• The study was conducted by medical professionals at the Institute of Health and Wellbeing and the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Glasgow.
• A total of 620 equine vets completed a work-related injuries questionnaire between September and November 2013.
• The results showed that an equine vet could expect to sustain between seven and eight work-related injuries over a 30-year working life.
• Compared with data from the UK’s Health and Safety Executive, injuries sustained by vets in equine practices were higher than those working in other civilian jobs, including construction and emergency services.

Nature and Cause of Injuries

• Injuries ranged from bruising and lacerations to fractures. The most common sites of injury were the leg (29%) and head (23%).
• The primary cause of injury was a kick from a horse’s hindlimb (49%), followed by strikes with a forelimb (11%), and crush injuries (5%).
• Almost 25% of the reported injuries necessitated hospital admission and 7% resulted in loss of consciousness.

Risk Factors

• The greatest risks were experienced while performing certain procedures such as upper respiratory tract endoscopies and wound management, where vets are partially sighted or situated in vulnerable positions next to the horses.
• Most of the severe injuries occurred when vets were treating recreational horses (38%) and frequently, the person handling the horse was the owner (48%).

Reactions and Recommendations

• The findings were seen as a wake-up call for everyone involved in the training and hiring of equine vets, emphasizing the importance of taking horse handling risks into consideration.
• BEVA’s chief executive, David Mountford, described the results as “very concerning” and worthy of further research.
• Mountford suggested that knowing these risks could help inform vets, owners, trainers, and others of the potential dangers, justifying the need for trained assistance and possibly greater use of sedatives.
• BEVA plans to collaborate with the Health and Safety Executive, veterinary schools, large employers of vets in the UK, and its members to develop policies to help reduce the risk of serious injury for vets working with horses.