Paulick Report Staff

10 hours ago

A study completed by University of Bristol researchers indicates that ethical dilemmas in equine sports medicine are prevalent enough to be "concerning" to governing bodies. The main issue noted by 97 respondents to a survey cited conflict of interest when balancing the horse’s health and welfare with client wishes for the horse to compete, reports Horse & Hound.

The veterinarians responding to the survey said they felt pressured to offer a “quick fix” for injuries so the horse could continue to compete at its current level. Several others reported that owners wished to have their horses treated, but for the medication not recorded because it appeared on the prohibited substance list. Additional concerns included owners and trainers who disregarded lameness in their horses, and owners who medicated horses without veterinary advice.

The researchers noted that the study had limitations, including that sports medicine veterinarians may have been more likely to respond and there was a potential for response bias, but that it gives a foundation for future work in the area to be done.

Read more at Horse & Hound.