Demographic study and health status of horses used for riding therapy

Baharuddin, Siti Balqis (2023) Demographic study and health status of horses used for riding therapy. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

Riding therapy for special needs is the use of the horse and equine-oriented activities to help children with disabilities such as autism, down syndrome and cerebral palsy. While there are published information regarding the benefits of riding therapy, little is known about the demographic information and health status of horses used for riding therapy in Malaysia. This study aims to gather data regarding the use, health, and care of horses used for riding therapy in Malaysia. A 17-item questionnaire was distributed to two stable managers of different riding therapy operation centers under Riding for the Disabled Association Malaysia (RDAMalaysia) located in Selangor and Terengganu. A physical examination was performed on 12 horses used for riding therapy in the same premise. Then, a correlation test was performed to find associations between survey form data and physical examination findings. Results indicated that the population was predominated by ponies, while equal number of mares and geldings. Majority of the horses are more than 20 years old. These horses are commonly subjected to light exercise as part of their routine. A typical riding therapy consisted of a 40-minute lesson per session, and there is equal distribution for programme frequency between once per week and three times per week. Most horses were donated to the programme by their respective owners, and have participated in the programme for approximately 7 years. However, misbehaviour was the common reason to exclude potential or current horses from the programme. The shoeing programme is appropriate and the majority of these horses had front and rear shoes fixed. Limb lameness was the top health issue noted, with NSAID for lameness and other reasons as most common treatment received. Horses are equally housed in the stall, and stalls & dry lot when not working. Health evaluation is routinely conducted by staff on a daily basis. All stable managers acknowledge the importance of physical examination, aware of the existing welfare code of practise, and considered the feeding regime as an important contributing factor in the best management practise for the premise. Physical examination findings revealed that 66.7% of the horses are not healthy and mainly having minor degree of ailments. Spearman’s Correlation test was performed and the result was nonsignificant due to small sample size. In conclusion, majority of the horses used for riding therapy are cared for appropriately according to the accepted standard and majority of the horses used for riding therapy have minor degree of ailments but well cared for.

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Depositing User:	Ms Nurhaznita Mahmood
Date Deposited:	30 Sep 2024 06:55
Last Modified:	30 Sep 2024 06:55
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/2071

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