Study explores horse owners’ preparation and preferences for veterinary care

A new study published by University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE) researchers in the journal Equine Veterinary Education sheds more light on how horse owners use veterinary care.

Conducted by researchers from the Department of Agricultural Economics and Department of Veterinary Science at the Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, the study titled “Descriptive analysis of the use of and preferences for equine veterinary services” provides one of the most comprehensive pictures to date of how American horse owners use equine veterinary services.

“According to the results from this study, horse owners’ ability to financially tolerate an unexpected expense—through savings, insurance or sufficient income—will limit their ability to access health care for their horses,” said Jill Stowe, professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics and corresponding study author. “I hope that this information will encourage horse owners to be more proactive in planning for emergencies.”

To obtain their data, the researchers distributed an online questionnaire through social media and email networks via the UK Ag Equine Programs, American Horse Publications and the State Horse Council Advisory. The final sample featured 4,915 usable responses spanning all 50 U.S. states.

Money matters: Costs and willingness to pay

Financial constraints emerged as a major factor affecting how owners interact with their veterinarians.

Annual vaccinations and routine lameness exams seemed to align reasonably well with what most people expect to pay ($150 and $200, respectively), however, ways to treat colic stood out.

Colic is a general term indicating abdominal pain in horses. It has many causes but can often be prevented with proper management or treated. In serious cases, a horse may require a serious and potentially life-saving surgical procedure. More than 60% of owners indicated that they would pay $5,000 or less for emergency colic surgery. This is notable because the actual cost for colic surgery and aftercare can far exceed $5,000, depending on the severity. As a result, many horse owners may face a stark financial hurdle if their horse develops a life-threatening colic.

Additionally, only about 14% of respondents maintain a dedicated savings account for medical emergencies and close to 80% do not insure their horses. While some owners have built up personal funds, many face limits on covering unexpected costs. This gap highlights the importance of educating owners about insurance and financial planning. It also has implications for veterinarians who must balance providing high-quality care with managing billing, especially if owners cannot pay in full at the time of treatment.

In the face of staffing shortages and the need for more cost-efficient practices, many equine veterinarians are exploring new financial approaches to delivering care. These include requiring payment at the time of service, designating on-call veterinarians instead of personal vets for nonemergency visits and telemedicine.

The vet will see you now

The survey found that most respondents who own between one and five horses typically see a veterinarian two to four times per year.

A strong majority of owners—nearly 95%—reported having a primary veterinarian. Among them, more than three-quarters rely on veterinarians to visit their property. When a horse does need clinic-based care, especially for more serious problems, results found that approximately 80% of owners will transport their horse less than 50 miles.

The study also revealed that wait times for nonemergency appointments vary significantly. While about 20% of owners can book next-day appointments, another quarter must wait more than a week.

The veterinary profession is in the initial stages of exploring whether telemedicine consultations with an established veterinary-client-patient relationship can play a role in equine practice.

“The use of telemedicine in equine practice comes with many challenges, but most respondents were willing to use telemedicine consultations for nonemergency services,” Stowe said. “Hopefully, leaders in the profession will continue to explore whether telemedicine can, in the future, be one tool to expand the provision of equine veterinary services, especially in rural areas.”

More than two-thirds said they would be “very willing” to use telemedicine for nonemergency consultations, provided there is already a relationship between the horse and the veterinarian.

One noticeable challenge was possible shortages of veterinarians in the future. Many respondents expressed concern, especially in light of shortages of equine veterinarians and the demands placed on practitioners. More than two-thirds of respondents said they were “very concerned” about ensuring sufficient care in years to come, though Martin-Gatton CAFE is attempting to reverse that trend through the annual Pre-Veterinary Experience Day which brings students together from around the country to showcase what it is like to be a veterinarian.

Adapting to new methods of care

The study’s findings point to opportunities for both education and innovation. Owners who find themselves financially unprepared could consider exploring insurance, saving plans or other financing options.

Equine veterinarians, meanwhile, may benefit from offering alternative payment plans or educational resources on preventive care to help owners better manage costs. Telemedicine may be especially useful for routine follow-ups or questions—potentially saving owners time and travel costs and reducing the burden on veterinarians’ schedules.

Stowe says that most owners are aware of issues like vet shortages affecting the industry. By better understanding what horse owners want and what they are able to pay, practices can develop new business models that are both profitable and appealing to clients.

“Most respondents were very aware of challenges facing equine veterinarians, and most were concerned about the provision of equine veterinary care in the future,” Stowe said. “But encouragingly, respondents indicate being willing to adapt to changes in the provision of equine veterinary services that are likely coming down the pipeline or may have already been implemented. I think that most horse owners are quite eager to work with their equine veterinarians to be able to continue to access care for their horses.”