Vergleich der Pferdehaltung in bäuerlich-ländlichen Kleinbetrieben mit derjenigen in hauptberuflichen, städtischen Pferdewirtschaftsbetrieben im Hinblick auf einen möglichen Zusammenhang mit Atemwegserkrankungen

Abstract

Comparison of the husbandry of horses in small-scale rural enterprises with that in large professional urban establishments with regard to a possible connection with respiratory diseases

The aim of this study was to compare the husbandry of horses in small-scale rural enterprises with that in large professional urban establishments and to find out whether possible differences are connected with the kind and frequency of respiratory diseases.

404 horses from 87 enterprises, examined for respiratory problems between 1995 and 1999 by the Veterinary Clinic of Dr. Litsch and Dr. Eversfield in Wiesbaden, were chosen at random. The owners were questioned about their animal's husbandry. These data were combined with the clinical records and a statistical analysis performed with the following results:

1. In large enterprises acute respiratory problems clearly predominated over chronic problems. The causes are larger and more fluctuating populations and more competition riding. In small-scale enterprises the risk of acute respiratory problems was significantly lower.
2. From the point of view of maintaining the health of the respiratory tract, the husbandry in large enterprises appeared to be worse than that in small ones, especially because of the longer time spent in stall per day. This possibly explains the larger number of examinations per case.
3. The husbandry in both systems was in most cases not optimal for the prevention of respiratory disease.
4. Three quarters of owners questioned were not willing to change the husbandry of their horses, neither during nor after therapy.