Golding, EmmaEmmaGolding2025-06-162025-06-162025 the A2025http://hdl.handle.net/10197/28271Endocrinopathic laminitis, as a result of Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) or Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), poses a significant equine health and welfare concern. Obesity increases the risk for individual horses of suffering from EMS and breed is also thought to play a role in increasing the risks of a horse suffering from obesity (certain breeds and types are commonly described as “easy keepers”) and EMS. Management has a significant role to play in the prevention of obesity, EMS, and also therefore endocrinopathic laminitis. Although there can be environmental or social constraints to their decision-making, it is horse owners who are ultimately responsible for their horses’ health and welfare, including where and how they are kept, fed and exercised, routine healthcare and when to consult a veterinarian in a non-routine situation. It is vital, therefore, that we understand the impact their owners’ decisions can have on horses that are at risk of endocrinopathic laminitis as well as the influences (intellectual, emotional, social and environmental) on those decisions. Chapter 1 explores literature to date regarding endocrinopathic laminitis, how owners perceive body condition, the effects of management on EMS and endocrinopathic laminitis and related influences including owner knowledge and awareness of the causes and signs of laminitis and the horse-human bond. Before owners can make decisions for their horses based on their risk of endocrinopathic laminitis, they need to be aware of, and have some knowledge of, endocrine disorders. In Chapter 2, owner knowledge of EMS and PPID is compared with their knowledge of 6 other common equine health conditions. We also compare owners’ perceptions of the emotional impacts of these conditions and their opinions on the availability and quality of information. Both endocrine disorders rate poorly on all measures compared to other conditions. Chapter 3 assesses how owners perceive their own horses’ body condition and finds that most owners of overweight horses, which accounted for 45% of the horses included in the study, underestimate their condition. We also find that providing information on body condition scoring does not improve the accuracy of owners’ perceptions and that “yard cultures” may be influencing both horses’ body conditions and the perceptions of their owners of their condition. In Chapter 4, rates of laminitis are compared between intensively-managed (IMP) and non-intensively managed (NIMP) Connemara Ponies, an Irish native breed that fits the profile of “easy keeper”. Contrary to our hypothesis, we find that rates of laminitis are higher in the non-intensively managed ponies. We suggest that this is as a result of a number of management-related factors: the control of seasonal weight gain in the IMPs; the higher proportion of mares designated as broodmares in the NIMP group; and more regular contact with owners and caretakers in the IMP group allowing for preventative measures or earlier diagnosis of laminitis. Chapter 5 explores the experiences of owners, vets and farriers in the diagnosis, management and prevention of obesity, EMS and laminitis. Participants echoed findings identified in previous chapters relating to knowledge, owner perceptions of obesity and the emotional impacts of EMS or laminitis diagnosis and management, as well as expressing a desire for better communication and teamwork among stakeholders. Effective management strategies as well as solutions to current barriers were also discussed. Chapter 6 summarises the findings of the previous chapters and discusses why these are important. It also presents how Chapter 5 offers in-depth qualitative context to the primarily quantitative findings in Chapters 2, 3 and 4. Finally, based on a synthesis of all four research chapters, future directions regarding research are outlined and proposals for improvements that would impact the human factors influencing endocrinopathic laminitis and benefits that might arise from these improvements are recommended.enEndocrinopathic laminitisHorse ownersEquine obesityEquine body conditionConnemara poniesHorsesIrelandDoctoral Thesishttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ie/