BRITAIN’s annual National Equine Health Survey (NEHS) of more than 11,000 equines has revealed an increase in laminitis compared to previous years, while lameness remains the number one health issue among British horses.
The 2014 survey showed that almost one in five (18.5%) horses were suffering with lameness due to joint disease or other non-foot related problems. The results were in line with the 2013 survey which showed a non-foot related lameness figure of 18.6%.
Foot lameness (not including laminitis) accounted for around one quarter of all lameness.
The survey also found that laminitis was more common in 2014 than in previous years (7.1%), with 43% of these recorded as first episodes. Past NEHS results showed a lower number of horses affected by laminitis (4.4% overall prevalence of laminitis, with 25% first episodes, 2013) but further investigation is needed to confirm if this finding is representative of the total British horse population.
Gemma Taylor, education officer at Blue Cross said: “The increase in laminitis may be linked to the mild winter, extensive rainfall and consistently warm spring. These conditions were ideal for flushes of grass growth, known to be a trigger for the disease.”
Skin disease was recorded in 18.3% of cases, up from 14.6% in 2013 and 15.2% in the years 2010-2012. Sarcoids were again a prevalent tumour, at a figure of 5.6% in 2014
Almost 17% of horses in the survey were found to be overweight (up from 7.8% in 2013), while 4% were underweight. Almost 60% of horse owners surveyed said they assessed their animals’ weight regularly, with the most common tools used being weight tapes.
Respiratory disease was reported by 7.1% of respondents (up from 5% in 2010-2012), with the majority of horses affected by allergic respiratory disease.
The National Equine Health Survey is conducted annually by the Blue Cross, in partnership with the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA), Spillers and Zoetis. Data was collected from 11,002 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules across Britain.