Reduced Care for Aged
The research was carried out by surveying owners living in North-west England and North Wales (1*) who have a horse aged 15 years or older. 918 owners of geriatric horses were surveyed and 200 of these horses were randomly selected to be given a clinical examination by a vet (2*). The research, which is funded by The Horse Trust, is led by Dr Gina Pinchbeck (3*) at the University of Liverpool.
From the questionnaire, the researchers found that as they get older, geriatric horses were less likely to have an annual routine veterinary visit. In addition, with increasing age, fewer geriatric horses were vaccinated against flu and tetanus, and received fewer farrier visits. The fewer routine visits meant there was a reduced opportunity for the vet to identify problems.
When the geriatric horses were given a clinical examination, a high prevalence of lameness, dental disease and respiratory problems was found. In some cases these problems had not been recognised by owners.
"This research shows that we need to do more to educate both horse owners and vets about the needs of geriatric horses. We also need to give owners information about how to recognise the signs of common illnesses that may affect their older horse," said Pinchbeck. "The owners involved in this study visibly cared about the welfare of their horse, but weren't always aware of the specific needs of geriatric horses."
Pinchbeck said it can be difficult to distinguish between normal aging and signs of disease, so regular veterinary visits are important to help with early detection of these health problems. Owners of geriatric horses sometimes have misconceptions about issues such as vaccination, or the symptoms of conditions, according to Pinchbeck.
"Owners sometimes think that because their geriatric horse doesn't travel, it doesn't need to be vaccinated. But they often have other horses on the yard that do travel and could pass on the disease," she said.
For the final stage of the project, the researchers have followed around 700 of the surveyed horses for 18 months to gather data on diseases and causes of death among geriatric horses. To help with this research, The Horse Trust has provided information from The Home of Rest, which provides sanctuary to around 100 geriatric horses. The findings of the final stage of the research project will be available in the autumn.
The University of Liverpool is a member of the Russell Group of leading research-intensive institutions in the UK. It attracts collaborative and contract research commissions from a wide range of national and international organisations valued at more than £98 million annually.
1 The area surveyed is likely to be representative of the UK, with approximately 29% of horses aged 15 or older. One quarter of the geriatric horses surveyed were retired and kept as a companion, while three quarters were still in some sort of use.
2 The clinical examinations were carried out by Ms Joanne Ireland BVMS MRCVS, a Research Assistant at the University of Liverpool, within 8 weeks of the questionnaire being received. Joanne spent 7 years working as an equine vet before joining the Epidemiology Group at the University of Liverpool.
3 Dr Gina Pinchbeck BVSc CertES PhD DipECVPH MRCVS is a Senior Lecturer in Equine Epidemiology at the University of Liverpool. Co-researchers in the study are Professor Peter Clegg MA Vet MB PhD Cert EO DipECVS MRCVS Professor of Equine Surgery, and Dr Catherine McGowan BVSc PhD DEIM DECEIM MRCVS Lecturer in Equine Medicine
