Överlevnadsanalys och avyttringsorsaker - för ackordhäststiftelsens hästar 1967-2012

Abstract: Few scientific studies have studied the subject of longevity among horses over a longer period of time. The knowledge about the Swedish riding school horse population concerning injuries and diseases is insufficient. Generally speaking, riding school horses in Sweden have a more undiversified way to work and work more hours in the arena compared to privately owned horses that have more variety in their possible use. Statistical data from the insurance company Agria have shown that horses in riding schools and education facilities have 22 % higher risk to use their veterinary insurance and 79 % higher risk to be put down and use their life insurance, compared to horses in private care. To create an increased understanding for longevity is it important to have knowledge about the different causes of culling. The aim with this study is to increase the knowledge and enable problem solving within the subject of longevity, median length of life and causes of death. We also aimed to study the developing of longevity and median length of life for horses from Ackordhäststiftelsen from the 1960s to present time. Further, we wanted to examine if the reasons for causes of disposal have changed over time. To be able to do this the study contains secondary data including details of name, age, and causes of disposal (divided into 13 categories) of 420 Swedish Coldblood horses and 400 Swedish Warmblood horses. Formulation of questions: • Is there a significant difference in the median age for Ackordhäststiftelsens horses depending on birth cohort? • What is the most common cause of disposal for the entire population of horses and for the two different groups; Warmblood and Coldblood horses? • Is there a difference between the most common disposal causes between birth cohorts and within each breed group? This study found a significant difference in the median length of life dependent on when the horses are born. For the warmblood horses born 1967-1980 the median length of life was 22 year. Horses born 1980-1989 20 years and for horses born 1990 and later 13 year. For the Coldblood horses there is a similar trend but for horses born 1990 and later the median length of life is 18 year. For the population the most common reason for culling was locomotor problems. The most common reason for culling differed between the birth cohorts but differences were mostly non-significant.