Incidence and clinical signs of owner-reported equine laminitis in a cohort of horses and ponies in Great Britain.

BACKGROUND: Previous robust epidemiological studies of equine laminitis have utilised only veterinary-diagnosed episodes of disease, potentially underestimating true disease frequency.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the incidence of, and describe clinical signs associated with, owner-reported active laminitis in horses/ponies, using both veterinary-diagnosed and non-veterinary-diagnosed episodes.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort.

METHODS: Data were collected from horse/pony owners in Great Britain between August 2014 and December 2016 using a web-based application. The incidence of owner-reported laminitis was estimated using both first incident and repeat episodes reported during the study period via a previously-validated laminitis reporting form. Owner-reported clinical signs present in these episodes were recorded.

RESULTS: A total of 1,070 horses/ponies contributed 1,068 horse-years at risk (HYAR) and 123 active laminitis episodes were reported in 97 animals. Sixty-two of these episodes (50.4%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 41.6, 59.2%) were veterinary-diagnosed and 75.3% (CI 66.7, 83.8%; n = 73) of horses/ponies reported to have laminitis during the study had a previous laminitis history. Overall owner-reported first episode incidence was 9.6 episodes (CI 7.8, 11.7)/100 HYAR while incidence including repeat episodes was 11.5 episodes (CI 9.7, 13.7)/100 HYAR. Laminitis occurred throughout the year with no significant differences between seasonal incidence estimates. Incidence was highest in Connemara and New Forest and lowest in Draught and Cob breed categories. The most prevalent owner-reported clinical signs (≥70%) were difficulty turning and a short/stilted or lame walk. Laminitis was reported in all limbs however; both forelimbs were most commonly affected (62.9%, CI 54.1, 71.7%; n = 73/116).

MAIN LIMITATIONS: Self-selection enrolment of participants may limit generalisability of the findings.

CONCLUSIONS: Laminitis remains a considerable year-round welfare issue of horses and ponies, with frequency estimates utilising owner-reported data more representative of the true impact of the disease. The clinical signs reported by horse/pony owners were reflective of those previously described by veterinary surgeons. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.