A study into the knowledge and awareness of equine osteopathy within the eventing community.
Item
- Title
- A study into the knowledge and awareness of equine osteopathy within the eventing community.
- Author(s)
- Day, K
- Abstract
- Background: There is a lack of research with regards to equine osteopathy specifically with regards to awareness. This could be due to lack of information available or due to lack of validation of equine osteopathy.Objective: To investigate the awareness and knowledge of equine osteopathy within the equine eventing community and the role osteopathic treatment may have on horses’ performance. Design: An observational cross-sectional questionnaire approach. Methods: Participants completed an online questionnaire, collecting data through an internet link, posted on an online forum. Administered to UK citizens over 18 years old competing regularly at BE80 or above. Participant demographics and knowledge of osteopathy were compared with other variables. Data was analysed using Pearson’s chi-squared test (?2), and Kruskal-Wallis with Pairwise deletion for association on Microsoft Excel and Analyse-IT. Results: completed by 111 respondents out of a potential 1339 (8.29% response rate). Results shows that 78.38% had knowledge of Osteopathy, 40% had used osteopathic treatment for their horse. Statistically significant findings of a greater proportion of female, employed (P value 0.0001), aged 46-60 (P value 0.0099) in the South East (P value 0.0079), and those who had used equine osteopathy (P value <0.0001) when compared with the group who had no knowledge of osteopathy. A higher percentage of owner’s found improvements as opposed to no improvement or worsening, in terms of performance and symptoms with use of equine osteopathy. Statistically significant findings were established between those who had used equine osteopathy and the likelihood of also using other alternative therapies (P value 0.0002). Discussion: The region of residence within the UK and word of mouth are likely to play a role in the lack of knowledge. Lower injury occurrence with the use of equine osteopathic treatment, cannot be assumed to be the causal factor. Equine osteopathic treatment can potentially play a role in the treatment of horses. Further research is needed to draw definite conclusions. Conclusion: Equestrian osteopathy does have a place in the current market and plays a role in the treatment of some event horses, however this is not widespread due to the lack of knowledge of equine osteopathy, as well as the current reliance on recommendation.
- presented at
- European School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2018
- Date Submitted
- 25.1.2019 17:18:25
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 16392
- Inst-Identifier
- 1229
- Keywords
- Equine
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Day, K, “A study into the knowledge and awareness of equine osteopathy within the eventing community.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 2, 2024, https://www.osteopathic-research.com/s/orw/item/372