A Questionnaire Study on the Use of Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine for Horses in Sweden.
Authors: Gilberg Karin, Bergh Anna, Sternberg-Lewerin Susanna
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine in Swedish Equine Practice Swedish horse owners demonstrate substantial reliance on complementary and alternative veterinary medicine (CAVM), with 85–90% incorporating these methods for prevention or post-injury management, though their initial choice of practitioner varies markedly by condition: whilst lameness typically prompts consultation with a conventional veterinarian (83%), back pain shows near parity between veterinary (45%) and CAVM therapist (52%) first contacts. Through electronic questionnaires distributed across three professional groups—204 horse owners, 100 equine veterinarians and 124 CAVM therapists—researchers identified a fragmented yet partially integrated system in which over half of veterinarians refer clients to CAVM practitioners despite not utilising these methods themselves, whilst 72% of therapists appropriately recommend veterinary consultation when indicated. Stretching and massage emerged as the predominant interventions across all respondent categories, reflecting their accessibility and established use within equine practice, though the legal obligation for Swedish veterinarians to base recommendations on scientific or well-documented evidence sits uneasily with the limited evidence base underpinning most CAVM modalities. The apparent disconnect between regulatory requirements and clinical practice—coupled with substantial professional dissatisfaction regarding inadequate CAVM regulation—underscores an urgent need for robust research into the efficacy and safety of commonly employed complementary methods, alongside clearer professional guidance on appropriate referral pathways and collaborative care protocols.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Back pain management shows distinctly different referral patterns than lameness—expect significant portions of your client base to pursue CAVM therapists first for spinal issues, so clear communication about evidence-based treatment is essential
- •Most horse owners (85-90%) will use some complementary methods regardless; positioning yourself as a collaborative partner with CAVM providers (rather than dismissing them) may improve client relationships and overall patient care outcomes
- •There is clear demand from both practitioners and therapists for better regulation and evidence standards in CAVM—documenting outcomes and staying informed about CAVM practices can strengthen your professional credibility with clients
Key Findings
- •83% of horse owners contacted a veterinarian first for lameness, while 15% contacted a CAVM therapist
- •52% of owners contacted a CAVM therapist first for back pain compared to 45% who contacted a veterinarian
- •85-90% of respondents used some form of CAVM for prevention or post-injury treatment
- •55% of veterinarians referred to CAVM practitioners despite not using these methods themselves, and 72% of CAVM therapists recommended veterinary consultation when needed