“Concerning” Challenges Highlighted for Vets When Treating Competition Horses

As reported in last weeks Horse and Hound, a new study shines a light on “concerning” ethical challenges being faced by vets treating competition horses.

Researchers from the University of Bristol ran a survey, undertaken by 97 vets, with the aim to understand some of the ethical issues UK equine sports medicine vets are facing. The survey included questions on topics including conflicts of interest, pressure from owners, duties and obligations for vets set out by sport governing bodies and treatments and procedures used in sport medicine.

Other challenges highlighted were owner/trainer disregard of lameness, being asked to administer drugs and not put them on the clinical record as they appear on prohibited substance lists, and owners medicating horses without veterinary advice.

The limitations of the study were noted: vets who had concerns about ethical issues in sports medicine may have been more motivated to respond, and there was potential for response bias – but the researchers said this study provides “a foundation” for future work in this area.

The researchers said some of the findings “will be concerning for governing bodies” – and that the responses revealed areas that “could pose reputational risk to equestrian sport and/or the veterinary profession”.

British Equine Veterinary Association chief executive David Mountford told H&H the paper provides “thought-provoking evidence to substantiate the ethical challenges vets sometimes face in practice”.

“The authors have highlighted the potential limitations of the study, but it is very clear that there are a range of situations experienced by vets which could pose a reputational risk to equestrianism and/or the veterinary profession,” he said.

“Animal welfare is, and should always be, at the forefront of the industry’s collective minds, and this research highlights a need to develop systems that reduce the risk of ethical dilemmas occurring when treating horses.”