A retrospective evaluation of the causes of death of 448 insured French horses in 1995

Epidemiological studies should allow comparisons to be made of the prevalen ce of disease in populations from different countries, but the population c haracteristics and health problems in French horses are not well establishe d. We have conducted a retrospective evaluation of the causes of death and vital characteristics of insured horses in France for the year 1995, with a view to comparison with published data from other countries. Files on 448 deceased horses were provided by nine insurance companies. Mos t of the animals were used for breeding (60%), followed by leisure (20%), e venting and racing (10% each). Physical characteristics were associated sig nificantly with occupational categories. The overall mortality rate was 2.4 7%, and was due, in decreasing order, to foaling (24%), colic (21%) or loco motor (21%), cardiovascular (9%), neurological (8%), respiratory (5%) or in fectious (4%) disease. Infectious disease was more frequent in younger anim als (p < 0.05) and locomotor disease in racehorses (p < 0.01). Horses aged over 15 years had a lower incidence of colic (p < 0.05). The cause of death was not significantly linked to breed, insurance value or season. Despite some selection bias, the study provides useful information about mortality in the French equine population.