Geriatric Equine Population in Germany: Health and Management Insights

Geriatric Equine Population in Germany: Health and Management Insights | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 13 January 2026 V1 Latest version Share on Geriatric Equine Population in Germany: Health and Management Insights Authors : Antonia Christine Czerner 0009-0000-6137-221X , Arno Lindner 0000-0003-0983-8806 , Annette Zeyner , Monika Wensch-Dorendorf , and Heidrun Gehlen [email protected] Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176834172.23878500/v1 129 views 62 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Background: The proportion of geriatric horses is increasing in Germany necessitating a deeper understanding of health and management demands. Objectives: To gain insights into the aging horse population in Germany to improve the corresponding management of geriatric horses, with particular attention to diseases, vaccination, worming, dental checks and hoof care. Study design: Cross-sectional online survey. Methods : Descriptive and inferential analysis of 923 questionnaires from owners of geriatric horses (≥20 years of age). Results: 919 horses aged 20 to 39 years (25.7 ± 3.96 years) were assigned to the following age groups: 20–24 years (42.2%, n = 388), 25–29 years (38.1%, n = 350), and ≥30 years (19.7%, n = 181). The most prevalent diseases observed were orthopaedic (66.7%, n = 580), dental (57.2%, n = 497), skin (35.9%, n = 289), cardiovascular (32.7%, n = 255), gastrointestinal diseases (32.3%, n = 257) and reduced mobility (65.9%, n = 602). Comorbidity (68.2%, n = 629) was significantly associated with age ( p < 0.001). Horses aged 20–24 years showed lower odds than horses aged 25–29 years (Odds Ratio (OR) [95% Confidence Interval (CI)] = 0.53 [0.36-0.76]) and ≥30 years (OR [95% CI] = 0.36 [0.22-0.60]). The vaccination rate was 85.0% ( n = 783). Most horses (89.3%, n = 818) had their hooves trimmed every six to eight weeks. The majority of horses were wormed multiple times per year (69.1%, n = 637) followed by a selective strategy (25.4%, n = 234). Dental check-ups were performed annually for most horses (71.2%, n = 653). Main limitations: Data were owner-reported, free-text responses required categorisation and the online survey may have caused selection bias. Conclusions: This study contributes data on geriatric horses in Germany, highlighting significant age-related increases in disease prevalence and comorbidity and emphasizing key management aspects such as dental care, vaccination and worming. Supplementary Material File (anonymized_main_document_-_ms_word_blinded.docx) Download 84.95 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 13 January 2026 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Authors Affiliations Antonia Christine Czerner 0009-0000-6137-221X Freie Universitat Berlin View all articles by this author Arno Lindner 0000-0003-0983-8806 Verein zur Förderung der Forschung im Pferdesport eV c/o Dr Arno Lindner Heinrich-Roettgen-Str 20 View all articles by this author Annette Zeyner Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg View all articles by this author Monika Wensch-Dorendorf Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg View all articles by this author Heidrun Gehlen [email protected] Freie Universitat Berlin View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 129 views 62 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Antonia Christine Czerner, Arno Lindner, Annette Zeyner, et al. Geriatric Equine Population in Germany: Health and Management Insights. Authorea . 13 January 2026. 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