Conceptualising older horse care: a sociological exploration of the human-horse relationship


Smith, Rebecca (2022) Conceptualising older horse care: a sociological exploration of the human-horse relationship. PhD thesis, University of Liverpool.

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Abstract

Horses in the UK are increasingly being cared for into old age and the equine population as a whole is ageing. The inherent reliance on humans to provide for a horse’s needs means the human-horse relationship is key to determining how, and by which means, a horse’s needs are met as they age. Older horses frequently undergo changes in their lifestyle or management and are at increased risk of chronic disease, yet often receive reduced veterinary involvement in their care. This thesis sought to explore how horse owners and carers make decisions for their horse’s management and health care, and the role of vet-owner relationships in shaping management decisions. This study used multiple sources of qualitative data including; 12 open-access online discussion forum threads containing 326 comments, 13 sets of veterinary clinical records and semi-structured interviews with 25 owners of older horses, nine of their respective vets, four livery yard owners and one livery yard manager. Data were collected and analysed using a constructivist grounded theory approach in order to develop novel sociological theory about these human-horse relationships. Caring for an older horse involved an ongoing dynamic model of care. This study identified six contextual factors that shaped the nature of owners’ relationship with their horse, and as these factors dynamically interacted the relationship was reconstructed over time. Nurturing an ageing horse required daily monitoring of their responses, weighing up different facets of their lifestyle and adjusting management accordingly. Health care interventions were adopted depending on perceived need. Whether problems in the horse constituted the need for veterinary (vet) advice was dependent upon past experiences with older horses, independent research and the vet-owner relationship. Vets relied upon owners engaging with them and the way in which owners presented an issue of concern framed a consultation. Through an interplay between owner and vet, problems were identified and solutions negotiated. A vet’s perception of appropriate care was influenced by their assessment of a horse and their relationship with an owner; therefore, decision-making was not clear-cut. Owners’ relationships with their vet impacted on how they constructed the value of veterinary advice and on the way in which veterinary expertise was sought. Findings illustrate that the relationship between owner and horse is deeply rooted in the everyday contact and care that is performed over time. The steps an owner takes to consult a vet both reflects, and shapes, the vet-owner relationship. The current veterinary model of care and its ability to optimise older horse health is influenced by a multitude of structural and interactional factors. Findings suggest that older horse care may be improved through reflection on current practices, and strategies which accommodate, and capitalise on, owners’ dynamic experience of horse care.

Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 25 Aug 2023 12:02
Last Modified: 25 Aug 2023 12:02
DOI: 10.17638/03169220
Supervisors:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3169220
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