Epidemiology and Public Health Research Group, and Department of Comparative Molecular Medicine, School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Equine Vet J. 2011 Jan;43(1):30-6. doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00145.x. Epub 2010 Aug 23.
With growing numbers of aged horses, geriatric medicine is becoming increasingly important in equine veterinary practice; however, there is a paucity of information on the UK equine geriatric population.
To describe the demographic characteristics of the equine geriatric population and to assess management practices undertaken by owners of geriatric horses (aged≥15 years).
A cross-sectional study was conducted, surveying a randomly selected sample of veterinary registered owners with horses aged≥15 years, using a self-administered postal questionnaire.
Horses aged≥15 years represented 29% of the equine population in the study area. The response rate to the questionnaire survey was 80.2%. Management practices were similar to those previously described for the general equine population. However, the level of exercise and feeding practices changed significantly with increasing age. A summary of the demographic characteristics, feeding and management of horses in a sample of the geriatric equine population is presented.
The management of geriatric horses has a direct effect on their health and welfare and this study has provided valuable information on the demographics and management of geriatric horses and ponies in the UK. The information can be used to form targeted owner education programmes for geriatric health and should aid in the investigation and prevention of disease.
随着老龄马匹数量的增加，老年医学在马兽医实践中变得越来越重要；然而，英国马老年人群的数据信息却很少。
描述马老年人群的人口统计学特征，并评估老龄马（≥15 岁）主人所采取的管理措施。
采用横断面研究，对年龄≥15 岁的兽医注册马主进行随机抽样调查，使用自我管理的邮寄问卷。
在研究区域，年龄≥15 岁的马占马群的 29%。对问卷调查的回复率为 80.2%。管理措施与普通马群之前描述的相似。然而，随着年龄的增长，运动和饲养方式的水平有显著变化。介绍了老年马群样本的人口统计学特征、饲养和管理的概要。
老龄马的管理直接影响其健康和福利，本研究为英国老龄马和小型马的人口统计学和管理提供了有价值的信息。这些信息可用于制定针对老龄健康的有针对性的主人教育计划，并有助于疾病的调查和预防。
