Vets face ethical dilemmas treating competition horses

Research reveals the challenges faced by vets who are working with sport horses used in competition

- BECKY MURRAY

A NEW study shines a light on “concerning” ethical challenges being faced by vets treating competition horses.

Researchers from the University of Bristol aimed to understand some of the ethical issues UK equine sports medicine vets are facing. A survey was taken by 97 vets, with questions on topics including conflict of interest, pressure from owners, duties and obligations for vets set out by sport governing bodies, and treatments and procedures used in sport medicine.

The most common challenge raised was conflict of interest – notably “balancing the horse’s health and welfare with client wishes, particularly for the horse to compete”. An example given was owners requesting ongoing treatment and management to allow a horse to compete at a high level, where “it might be more appropriate to drop to a lower level/retire”, and pressure on vets to provide a “quick fix” for a horse to compete or be sold.