Study of Risk Factors for Injury Within a General Horse Population

A detailed postal questionnaire was used to collect information on traumatic injuries and risk factors for those injuries from about 1,000 horse owners in England and North Wales.

About 650 owners had horses under 15 years of age that were included in the study. Forty percent of owners reported their horse had sustained at least one injury during the previous 12 months. Most (54%) were described as mild, 36% moderate and 10% severe.

Wounds were most common, and most injuries (62%) occurred during turnout with only 13% occuring during riding. Stable incidents only accounted for 11% of injuries. Injuries to the distal limb were most common (46%), followed by the proximal limb (17%) and foot (12%). The specific cause of injury was unknown in almost 20% of cases with 18% attributed to a kick, 14% to a slip or fall and 7% to a bite.

Factors associated with increased risk of injury included breed other than cob or pony, shorter duration of ownership, being turned out with an increasing number of other horses, being used for competition and, oddly, having been trained using methods dexcribed as "Parelli."

In addition, being stabled at all times during the spring, wood fencing in paddocks and being prone to separation anxiety when left alone were all associated

– Owen KR et al. EVJ 2012;44:143-148.

MRI Helps Guide Navicular Treatment

A retrospective series of cases was examined using medical records and telephone follow-up to…