Intrinsic, management, and nutritional factors associated with equine motor neuron disease.

摘要

Information concerning horses' history of exposure to multiple environmental factors was obtained about 87 horses with equine motor neuron diseases (EMND) and 259 control horses by owner questionnaire or personal interview. Exposure histories of horses with EMND and control horses were compared, and the association of each risk factor with EMND was evaluated, using logistic regression analysis. Factors significantly associated with risk of developing EMND included age, breed of horse, duration of residence at the farm, not vaccinating against rabies, and certain feeding practices. Horses that were exercised on green pasture or in grass paddocks were less likely to develop EMND, compared with horses that were exercised in dirt paddocks. Feeding complete pelleted feed as the only source of concentrate or combined with sweet feed was associated with a significant increase in the risk of EMND. Supplementary feeding of vitamin and mineral mixtures not formulated to provide vitamin E or selenium was associated with increased risk of EMND. Horses with a history of cribbing or coprophagia were also at higher risk of developing EMND. It is concluded that several husbandry practices and intrinsic characteristics of horses appear to modify the risk of EMND. It is suggested that the relationship of specific nutritional factors to EMND supports the hypothesis that a deficiency of vitamin E contributes to the disease.