Smith Rebecca, Pinchbeck Gina, McGowan Catherine, Ireland Joanne, Perkins Elizabeth
Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, Cheshire CH64 7TE, UK.
Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Waterhouse Building, Block B, Brownlow Street, Liverpool L69 3GL, UK.
Animals (Basel). 2021 May 2;11(5):1309. doi: 10.3390/ani11051309.
The number of aged horses in the UK has been growing over recent years, with many horses remaining active and being cared for into old age. However, increasing age is paralleled with a heightened risk of morbidity and mortality; therefore, owners of older horses must manage changes in their horse, making decisions about management and health care provision. In this paper, we discuss data collected from an open-access online discussion forum, where forum users sought advice arising from concerns about their older horse. Qualitative data analysis was performed using grounded theory methods. A conceptual model was developed to demonstrate the multifaceted ways in which ageing affects the human-horse relationship and impacts upon outcomes for the horse. The model reflects the dynamic nature of caring for an older horse to accommodate change over time-outcomes for the horse shift as the context of day-to-day life changes. The model provides novel insight into how decisions around older horse care are made.
近年来，英国老龄马匹的数量一直在增加，许多马匹在步入老年后仍保持活跃并得到照料。然而，年龄增长伴随着发病和死亡风险的增加；因此，老龄马匹的主人必须应对马匹的变化，做出有关管理和医疗保健的决策。在本文中，我们讨论了从一个开放获取的在线讨论论坛收集的数据，论坛用户就其老龄马匹的问题寻求建议。使用扎根理论方法进行了定性数据分析。开发了一个概念模型，以展示衰老影响人马关系并对马匹结局产生影响的多方面方式。该模型反映了照顾老龄马匹以适应随时间变化的动态性质——随着日常生活环境的变化，马匹的结局也会改变。该模型为围绕老龄马匹护理的决策方式提供了新的见解。
