Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Horse owners' attitudes towards and motivators for using complementary and alternative veterinary medicine.
- Journal:
- The Veterinary record
- Year:
- 2021
- Authors:
- Keller, P et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A recent study looked at how horse owners feel about using complementary and alternative veterinary medicine (CAVM), which includes treatments like manual therapies and herbal supplements. Out of 1,532 horse owners surveyed, 72.5% had used CAVM before, often to help their horses feel better when conventional treatments didn’t work or for ongoing health issues. The owners generally had a positive view of CAVM, scoring an average of 6 out of 7 on their attitudes towards it. Factors that influenced their willingness to use CAVM included being older, having used alternative medicine themselves, and having a higher level of education. The study highlighted that good communication with veterinarians is essential for helping horse owners make informed decisions about CAVM.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Complementary and alternative veterinary medicine (CAVM) is becoming increasingly popular in horses. METHODS: Online, cross-sectional survey in 1532 horse owners. Attitude towards CAVM, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and intention for future CAVM use were measured based on the theory of planned behaviour. Structural equation modelling was performed to characterize factors influencing intention to use CAVM. RESULTS: Past use of CAVM, predominantly manual therapies and herbal supplements, was reported by 72.5% of all participants. Frequently reported indications were improving horse's well-being, illness which did not resolve after conventional treatment and chronic illness. The attitude towards CAVM was positive with a median (interquartile range) score of 6 of 7 (4.75-7.00). Predictors for past CAVM use were higher owner age, alternative medicine self-use and higher education (non-university). The strongest predictor of future CAVM usage was perceived behavioural control and perceived CAVM efficacy, as well as positive attitude towards and perceived knowledge about CAVM. The veterinarian was reported as a source of information about CAVM by 86.4% of all participants. CONCLUSIONS: Horse owners showed a high intention to use CAVM with the owners' perceived behavioural control and perceived CAVM efficacy as the strongest predictor. Veterinarian-client communication is important to inform horse owners correctly.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33899957/