Equine research is fascinating, much-needed, and worthy of support. But are equine research findings being integrated into the care, feeding, and hoofcare of average horses? A survey in Great Britain set out to see if horse owners were applying research-based practices in their stable routines, using laminitis prevention as an example.
What did the results show? Three quarters of responding horse owners, caregivers and stable managers believe that scientific research has a positive impact on horse welfare, yet most find the science difficult to understand and act upon, according to the survey results.
The research was supported by the British horse feed company SPILLERS®, in collaboration with the Royal Veterinary College (RVC). The Hoof Blog previewed this study in January 2018.
The example of laminitis was used to explore levels of knowledge and implementation of methods to reduce the risk of this disease, by collecting results from 1,414 horse owners, caregivers and stable managers responsible for day-to-day horse management decisions.
The example of laminitis was used to explore levels of knowledge and implementation of methods to reduce the risk of this disease, by collecting results from 1,414 horse owners, caregivers and stable managers responsible for day-to-day horse management decisions.
Over 75% of respondents who answered the question (n=1,205) reported that they practiced routine foot care, fed a balanced diet and maintained an ideal body weight.
© Fran Jurga and Hoofcare Publishing; Fran Jurga's Hoof Blog is the news service for Hoofcare and Lameness Publishing. Please, no re-use of text or images on other sites or social media without permission--please link instead. (Please ask if you need help.)
The Hoof Blog may be read online at the blog page, checked via RSS feed, or received via a headlines-link email (requires signup in box at top right of blog page). Use the little envelope symbol below to email this article to others. The "translator" tool in the right sidebar will convert this article (roughly) to the language of your choice.
To share this article on Facebook and other social media, click on the small symbols below the labels. Be sure to "like" the Hoofcare and Lameness Facebook page and click on "get notifications" under the page's "like" button to keep up with the hoof news on Facebook.
Questions or problems with the Hoof Blog? Click here to send an email hoofblog@gmail.com.
However, only 16% used a grazing muzzle and less than a third avoided turning out on a frosty morning, although 50% said that it was feasible to implement both of these measures.
The majority of respondents were positive about the idea of scientific research: Over three quarters agreed with the statement “Scientific research has had an overall positive impact on horse welfare”.
The majority of respondents were positive about the idea of scientific research: Over three quarters agreed with the statement “Scientific research has had an overall positive impact on horse welfare”.
However, when asked what they thought of scientific research, many considered it to be difficult to understand, sometimes contradictory, and difficult to implement.
“Findings from the provisional analysis have been generally positive, with most horse carers practicing fundamental measures, such as routine foot care and maintaining an ideal body weight. However, the overall feasibility and practice of some of the measures was generally quite low,” said Chantil Sinclair, a PhD student at the RVC who conducted the online survey.
“Findings from the provisional analysis have been generally positive, with most horse carers practicing fundamental measures, such as routine foot care and maintaining an ideal body weight. However, the overall feasibility and practice of some of the measures was generally quite low,” said Chantil Sinclair, a PhD student at the RVC who conducted the online survey.
“The next part of our study will go on to explore the reasons behind this and how we can help overcome any barriers to optimal horse care.”
The final analysis will be used to design an interview-based investigation of barriers to or drivers for the adoption of evidence-based best practices. Then the study team will consider the most effective ways to facilitate the implementation of evidence-based science, in order to improve equine health and welfare.
Registered Nutritionist Clare Barfoot, research and development manager at SPILLERS®, commented: “By learning what prevents horse carers from implementing research, we can promote evidence-based horse care in better ways, ultimately to help us reduce the risks of nutrition-related disorders and diseases.”
Sinclair's survey was supervised by Dr Jackie Cardwell and Dr Nicola Menzies-Gow of the RVC, Dr Carrie Roder of Anglia Ruskin University and Dr Pat Harris of WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition.
The final analysis will be used to design an interview-based investigation of barriers to or drivers for the adoption of evidence-based best practices. Then the study team will consider the most effective ways to facilitate the implementation of evidence-based science, in order to improve equine health and welfare.
Registered Nutritionist Clare Barfoot, research and development manager at SPILLERS®, commented: “By learning what prevents horse carers from implementing research, we can promote evidence-based horse care in better ways, ultimately to help us reduce the risks of nutrition-related disorders and diseases.”
Sinclair's survey was supervised by Dr Jackie Cardwell and Dr Nicola Menzies-Gow of the RVC, Dr Carrie Roder of Anglia Ruskin University and Dr Pat Harris of WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition.
Some provisional results of the study were presented at the International Equitation Science Conference in Rome earlier this year and more recently at the 15th International Symposium of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics.
 |
| Click here to learn more about HoofSearch, the monthly report of equine hoof research. |
Follow Hoofcare + Lameness on Twitter: @HoofBlog
Read this blog's headlines on the Hoofcare + Lameness Facebook Page
Disclosure of Material Connection: The Hoof Blog (Hoofcare Publishing) has not received any direct compensation for writing this post. Hoofcare Publishing has no material connection to the brands, products, or services mentioned, other than products and services of Hoofcare Publishing. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
