The University of Liverpool is offering a funded three-year PhD program for a veterinary graduate or other candidate with a background in bioveterinary science to study how human behavior affects equine health and welfare. Until now, most veterinary research has focused on pathological and environmental aspects of equine health and disease. However there is currently little research on the human-horse relationship and its impact on equine health and welfare.
The human-horse relationship
Research study on the human-horse relationship and its impact on equine health and welfare is proposed.
Human behavior plays a key role in equine health and welfare. This includes the types of management practices that are imposed upon horses under the care of human beings and the type and extent of preventive health care that each horse receives. Social research methods, and in particular qualitative methods, have made a major contribution to understanding how human beings view and experience their own health and interpret and adopt (or not) health messages given by the medical profession. However, these research methods are infrequently applied in veterinary research.
This project will investigate horse owners’ understandings and experience of equine health, with a particular focus on laminitis, using established sociological methods. This project will also determine factors that influence the decision by horse owners’ to seek veterinary advice and the types and frequency with which alternative sources of equine health information are accessed. This will provide information on ways in which the most practical and effective educational interventions may be made by the veterinary profession to improve equine health and welfare.
The application deadline for candidates for this program is 17 June 2012. In addition for the funding available only to UK and European students, a stipend is offered for personal expenses. Interviews for candidates will take place at the Department of Epidemiology and Population Health.