Abstract
Simple SummaryHorse owners are key to facilitating the care that their horse receives. This study sought to understand how management and health care decisions are navigated by owners of older horses. Online discussion forum threads were selected to explore everyday conversations between horse owners around issues of concern relevant to older horse care. Analysis identified seven common themes in owner decision making; the human–horse relationship, horse-related responses, integrated geography, purpose, influences on behavioural outcomes, resources and life worth living. The characterisation of each theme was unique for each human and horse; themes could change over time and were dynamically interrelated. A conceptual model was developed to demonstrate how themes can change in meaning and importance, affecting the human–horse relationship and impacting upon choices made for a horse. This model can be used in the development of practical tools to assist those involved in the care of older horses.The number of aged horses in the UK has been growing over recent years, with many horses remaining active and being cared for into old age. However, increasing age is paralleled with a heightened risk of morbidity and mortality; therefore, owners of older horses must manage changes in their horse, making decisions about management and health care provision. In this paper, we discuss data collected from an open-access online discussion forum, where forum users sought advice arising from concerns about their older horse. Qualitative data analysis was performed using grounded theory methods. A conceptual model was developed to demonstrate the multifaceted ways in which ageing affects the human–horse relationship and impacts upon outcomes for the horse. The model reflects the dynamic nature of caring for an older horse to accommodate change over time—outcomes for the horse shift as the context of day-to-day life changes. The model provides novel insight into how decisions around older horse care are made.
Highlights
Horses in the UK continue to be looked after by owners into old age and demographics show an ageing equine population [1,2]
The way in which people construct their own understanding of the ageing horse impacts on their ideas of disease causality, on relationships with health care providers and on outcomes for health
Forum dataOver gives novel of insight into the knowle was co-constructed, and the meaning of themes to the forum user was up dynamic ways in which different factors are weighed up by horse owners within theirexpanded life example, contributors suggestedthe options availablerelationship
Summary
Horses in the UK continue to be looked after by owners into old age and demographics show an ageing equine population [1,2]. Surveys have reported that owners make accommodations for horses ≥15 years of age, including change of use and feed practices [3,4]. These populations are at increased risk of chronic disease, with increasing age, there were reductions reported in the provision of routine preventive health care measures and veterinary involvement [3,4]. With an overall shift towards reliance on the internet, advice can be sought and experiential knowledge can be shared within online support networks, adding to the construction of lay knowledge [7,8,9] This knowledge is publicly available and widely accessible via online equestrian community web pages
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