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Reevaluating the Approach to Equine Care: A Call for Modernization

As I complete my mandatory continuing education to maintain my healthcare license, I encountered an eye-opening topic: the stark contrast between the ๐—ง๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ฎ๐—น ๐— ๐—ฒ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ฐ๐—ฎ๐—น ๐— ๐—ผ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—น and the ๐—ฃ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜-๐—–๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ฑ ๐—–๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐— ๐—ผ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—น in human healthcare.


This led me to reflect on how similar patterns are playing out in equine healthcare, highlighting the need for a shift in how we care for our horses.


The ๐—ง๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ฎ๐—น ๐— ๐—ฒ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ฐ๐—ฎ๐—น ๐— ๐—ผ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—น, still prevalent in much of equine healthcare, places the professional in control. The health provider assesses symptoms, prescribes treatments, and expects compliance from the patient (or in this case, the horseโ€™s owner). While this model may seem efficient, it leaves no room for the patientโ€™s preferences or input. It is an outdated, top-down approach where decisions are made for the patient, not with them.


In stark contrast, the ๐—ฃ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜-๐—–๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ฑ ๐—–๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐— ๐—ผ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—น โ€”which I am required to follow as a licensed human healthcare provider in BC, Canada โ€” focuses on collaborative decision-making. This model respects the patientโ€™s needs, preferences, and values. Care is designed with the patientโ€™s input, ensuring a more personalized and responsive approach to health.

It made me think: if human healthcare has moved away from this archaic model, why is equine care still so rooted in it? Shouldnโ€™t our horses deserve the same respect, empathy, and collaborative care that humans do?


Itโ€™s time to challenge the status quo in equine medical care. If we are required to maintain modern, patient-centered practices as licensed human healthcare professionals, why should equine professionals be any different? This isn't just a matter of preferenceโ€”it's about ethics, respect, and the evolution of care.


Itโ€™s time for change. A movement toward equine care that truly considers the horse as an active participant, with treatment that reflects their individual needs, behaviors, and feedback.

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