Digitalisation in pre-purchase examination and prospects for an equine health database in Germany-Results of an online survey among equine veterinarians.
Authors: Folgmann Muriel Sarah, Kleinsorgen Christin, Stock Kathrin Friederike, Meister Daniel, Hellige Maren, Feige Karsten, Delling Uta
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary German equine veterinarians overwhelmingly support digitalisation of pre-purchase examinations (PPEs) and the creation of a national equine health database, according to a recent online survey that captured responses from 130 practitioners across the country. Currently, the profession remains largely paper-based, with 86% of vets conducting PPEs using printed protocols—predominantly the German Equine Veterinary Association's standard format—yet 90.2% indicated they would adopt digital alternatives if available. Concerns centred on practical implementation rather than principle: over half of respondents worried about user-friendliness (55.9%) and integrating new systems into existing workflows (54.6%), whilst regarding a centralised health database, 72.3% expressed support, though approximately one-third would only endorse it with guarantees around data security, objective data collection standards, and meaningful input from other stakeholders. For equine professionals involved in pre-purchase work or data management, these findings suggest that successful digital transition depends less on convincing practitioners of its value and more on designing systems that are genuinely intuitive and addressing legitimate concerns about data governance. Collaborative development incorporating feedback from vets, farriers, physiotherapists, and other allied professionals will likely prove essential to achieving widespread adoption across the equine industry.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •There is strong market demand among German equine vets for digital pre-purchase examination tools—90% would adopt them, suggesting digital solutions should prioritize ease of use and seamless workflow integration.
- •Data security and transparency about what objective data will be collected are critical concerns that must be addressed before implementing a national equine health database to achieve veterinarian buy-in.
- •Consulting stakeholders across the equine industry (vets, owners, trainers, auction houses) during development of digital health systems will improve adoption rates and address practical concerns about daily use.
Key Findings
- •90.2% of German equine veterinarians would use a digital protocol for pre-purchase examinations if available, despite currently using paper-based protocols in 86.0% of cases.
- •The German Equine Veterinary Association's paper protocol remains the most frequently used format at 47.1% among respondents.
- •72.3% of veterinarians expressed support for establishing an equine health database in Germany, but approximately one-third would only support it under specific conditions including guaranteed data safety and objective data collection.
- •Primary concerns about digital PPE adoption are user-friendliness (55.9%) and integration into daily veterinary routine (54.6%).