Vet Rec. 2026 Apr 2. doi: 10.1002/vetr.70554. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly prevalent in the modern world, including in veterinary medicine. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate horse carers’ attitudes towards using AI use in equine care.
METHODS: An online survey was distributed to UK horse owners/carers in 2025, covering participants’ demographics and use of AI and their opinions of AI for equine care. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, categorisation of free-text responses and logistic regression to determine factors associated with opinions.
RESULTS: Ninety-seven responses were analysed. Participants had a predominantly positive opinion of AI to automate large datasets for equine care, and a predominantly negative opinion for automating communications and medical decision making. Key categories identified in free-text responses were: AI use in general/equine care, desire for human interaction and AI as a supportive aid only. Positive attitudes towards AI for equine care were significantly associated with participants’ opinions of AI in their own lives (odds ratio [OR]: 3.69, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.06‒4.45) and understanding of AI (OR: 1.31, 95% CI 1.03‒1.66).
LIMITATIONS: This is a small exploratory study of horse owners/carers in the UK, and the findings may not be more widely generalisable.
CONCLUSION: Horse owners/carers had mixed opinions on the use of AI in equine care, and their primary concern was around it replacing human decision making.
PMID:41924893 | DOI:10.1002/vetr.70554
