Why are certain premises at increased risk of equine grass sickness? A matched case-control study.

The research investigates why certain places are more susceptible to Equine Grass Sickness (EGS), a disease affecting horses. It uncovers that factors like soil nutrient content, pasture disturbance, and previous instances of EGS contribute to increased vulnerability.

Research Methods:

The researchers carried out a matched case-control study. They used a sample of:

• Sixty premises where there had been at least one instance of EGS confirmed through histology
• 120 control premises that were matched in terms of time

Data was collected on aspects such as:

• Pasture management techniques
• Soil nutrient content
• Pasture nutrient content
• Local weather conditions two weeks before a disease outbreak

The researchers then analyzed this data using conditional logistic regression.

Results of the Study:

After analyzing the data through multi-variable modelling, researchers uncovered that the occurrence of EGS was linked with:

• Higher soil nitrogen content
• Disturbances in pasture
• Previous instances of EGS in the same location

However, they found no significant links between local meteorological variables and EGS occurrence. Certain management practices like harrowing, fertilization, or reseeding were also not associated with an increased risk of EGS.

Conclusion:

This study provides valuable insights to understand the causes behind EGS and potentially how to mitigate its occurrence. The knowledge gained can be used to devise evidence-based strategies to prevent this disease in horses. The research highlights the importance of looking at local factors like soil content and history of the disease while developing such preventative measures.