Prevalence of clinical findings at examinations of young Swedish warmblood ridinghorses

Abstract

Abstract Background Soundness of an individual horse is important for animal welfare and ownereconomy. However, knowledge of health status in normal horse populations islimited due to lack of systematic health recordings. The aim of theinvestigation was to study the prevalence of veterinary clinical findings in4-5-year-old Swedish warmblood riding horses, and their influence on overallhealth scores, where associations to future longevity has beenindicated. Results The prevalence of clinical findings in 8,281 horses examined during1983–2005 was studied according to a standardised protocol and relatedto overall health scores in linear statistical models. Effects of sex, age,examination event and changes over time were included. In total, 49% of thehorses had clinical findings of medical health (MED), 42% in hooves (HOOF)and 74% of palpatory orthopaedic health (PALP). However, only 6%, 3% and 24%had moderate or severe findings, of MED, HOOF and PALP, respectively.Flexion test reactions were reported in 21% of the horses (5%moderate/severe), heavily influencing the overall score (H2). One fifth ofthese horses also had findings of unprovoked lameness while 83% had PALPfindings (44% with moderate/severe findings). Acute clinical signs, i.e.heat or soreness, had a large influence on the H2 score but were rare,whereas more common clinical findings had smaller effects on overall health.Large variations in recorded health results were observed among events. Adecrease in findings has occurred since 1983, in particular for PALPfindings. Conclusions Results of occurrence and relevance of evaluated clinical findings could beused for advice on preventive actions to keep horses sound, and possibly forbenchmarking, and genetic evaluation of health traits. The distinct effectof event on recorded clinical findings emphasises that further harmonisationof veterinary examinations are desirable.