28/09/2016
NEWS UPDATE: The Blue Cross has announced the findings of this year’s National Equine Health Survey (NEHS).
Of the horses with health problems, a third (32.9%) were recorded as lame. As in previous surveys lameness was reported to be more likely to be caused by conditions such as osteoarthritis in the limb rather than problems in the foot.
A breakdown of the types of lameness revealed that 47.4% were recorded as suffering from proximal limb lameness (the limb above the foot), 31.9% from causes of foot lameness other than laminitis and 20.7% from laminitis. Degenerative joint disease (including foot and proximal limb) was the most frequently reported single cause of lameness (41.2% of all lameness) and the most frequently reported joint affected by DJD was the hock (15.3% of all lameness).
This year saw a 14% increase in participation compared to 2015, with survey records returned for almost 16,751 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules and 5635 people taking part. Most horses were kept in livery or a private yard and used for leisure and hacking.
The six most notable disease syndromes identified in the 2016 National Equine Health Survey are:
1. Lameness 32.9% including laminitis (compared to 24.4% in 2015, 21% in 2014, 19.2% in 2013 and 12.9% in 2010-12).
2. Skin diseases (sweet itch, mud fever, rainscald, external parasites, skin tumours and wounds) 25.5% compared to 17.2% in 2015 (18.3% in 2014, 14.6% in 2013 and 15.2% in 2010-12).
3. Laminitis 6.8% compared to 6.4% in 2015 (7.1% in 2014, 4.4% in 2013 and 3.6% in 2010-12).
4. PPID (‘Equine Cushing’s Disease) 6.6%. This is similar to the high prevalence of PPID reported in 2015 (6.4%) and 2014 (5.6%) and may reflect increased surveillance through sponsored testing programmes as opposed to true increases in prevalence from the pre-2014 surveys.
5. Recurrent Airway Obstruction 5.6% compared to 6.7% in 2015 (6.9% in 2014, 4.2% in 2013 and 3.6% in 2010-12).
6. Back problems 5.5% compared to 7% in 2015 (7.7% in 2014, 5% in 2013 and 3% in 2010-12).
Josh Slater from the Royal Veterinary College, who is a member of BEVA’s Health & Medicines Committee, analysed the NEHS data. He said: “The data gleaned from the Survey remains consistent year on year, confirming the reliability of our findings for benchmarking, referencing and research. This year’s increase in overall lameness may be in part attributed to the higher incidence of pus in the foot but may also be because owners are becoming more aware of lameness issues. Ongoing research on lameness has generated significant media coverage over the past year, helping to raise understanding of the importance of accurate diagnosis and treatment both from welfare and performance perspectives.”
Gemma Taylor, Education Officer at Blue Cross said: “The significant increase in participation again this year shows that owners and keepers of horses are really getting behind the Survey and recognising its importance in safeguarding the future health and of the UK’s horses. Over the past year NEHS data has been referred to in leading equestrian and veterinary media, showing its credibility as a valuable benchmarking reference.”
The Blue Cross carries out NEHS in May each year, in partnership with the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA). It is sponsored by Dodson & Horrell and Zoetis and supported by the UK’s leading equestrian organisations and charities.
To download a copy of the 2016 NEHS survey results visit http://www.bluecross.org.uk/nehs2016results
To register for next year’s survey please visit www.bluecross.org.uk/nehs
The NEHS 2016 results are in! We are very excited to announce the results of the NEHS 2016 results. We had an overwhelming response to the survey, with over 6,000 of you taking part! Your help means we can truly represent British horses and ponies, and help prevent problems affecting our equine frie...
