30/11/2011

A surprising figure as result of a survey funded by the Horses Trust has revealed that an estimated 40% of horses sustain injuries each year.

The research suggests that 13% of traumatic injuries occur during ridden exercise while a large proportion of 62% of injuries happen while turned out in the field according to research by Rosie Owen.

"This Horse Trust-funded research shows that horses get injured relatively frequently - much more often than you would expect,"

"Interestingly, most of the injuries happen during turnout, rather than during ridden exercise." said Rosie.
The results of this extensive survey were collected after analysing 652 horses from the Midlands, North-West England and North Wales, 15 years and younger, selected at random. Patterns included owners that had owned their horses for short periods of time and were introduced to fields with other horses. This, it seems, was due to aggression from other horses even though steps can be prevented to reduce to likelihood said researcher, Rosie Owen.

Rosie explained that ‘a new horse should be introduced to the group gradually’ and that safety equipment such horse boots should be used to protect lower limbs. Adjacent stabling in the initial meeting of horses can also be a huge help so they get to know each other while taking off horse’s shoes in times of adjustment can soften any kicks.

However, other facts found were that 47% of the injuries reported sought veterinary treatment while the remaining 53% didn’t require a treatment or were treated by themselves or a friend.