Horse owners may not change colic beliefs even when shown evidence: full analysis

Evidence-based information improved knowledge gaps only partway in a new study on horse owners’ understanding of colic, with many misconceptions persisting despite direct exposure to research-based guidance. The Equine Veterinary Journal paper, by K. L. Burrell, G. C. W. England, J. H. Burford, and S. L. Freeman, surveyed 1,544 UK horse owners and found that decisions about referral for suspected colic were influenced not just by clinical facts, but by insurance status, horse age, and social pressure from vets or peers. (madbarn.com)

The findings build on a long-running body of UK research from the University of Nottingham and collaborators showing that colic remains one of the most important equine emergencies, yet horse-owner knowledge is often incomplete. Earlier work from the same research network found that owners can miss early signs of colic and may not fully understand when urgent veterinary assessment is needed. Nottingham’s colic outreach efforts, including the REACT campaign and Vet REACT Colic Champions, were developed in response to those gaps. (link.springer.com)

In the new study, major knowledge gaps remained common. A summary of the paper reports that 58% of respondents were unaware of how quickly irreversible intestinal damage could occur, 63% did not understand likely surgery costs and UK insurance cover limits, 65% were unclear on survival differences for geriatric versus non-geriatric horses, and 68% did not know the prognosis for return to work after colic surgery. Even when evidence-based information was presented, many owners were hesitant to revise their views. (madbarn.com)

That reluctance appears consistent with the authors’ wider work on knowledge transfer and behavior change. On Katie Burrell’s University of Nottingham profile, the university says horse owners in her PhD research “regularly evaluate new information against their own prior experience or knowledge,” which can leave them reluctant to adopt new approaches because of false beliefs or fear of social criticism. A related 2024 Equine Veterinary Journal study from the same group examined behavior-change models for emergency colic recommendations, suggesting the team is increasingly looking beyond awareness alone to understand what actually changes client behavior. (nottingham.ac.uk)

For veterinary professionals, that’s the key takeaway. In suspected colic cases, referral and surgery decisions are often made under time pressure, emotional stress, and financial uncertainty. If pet parents or horse caretakers arrive at that moment with entrenched misconceptions about prognosis, costs, or what “good” candidates for surgery look like, evidence delivered during the emergency may have limited impact. Practices may need to normalize advance conversations about insurance, referral logistics, likely costs, and outcomes before a crisis happens. (madbarn.com)

The study also has implications for how equine teams frame communication. If perceived pressure from veterinary professionals influences referral intent, clinicians may need to balance urgency with shared decision-making, making recommendations clear without triggering resistance. Structured client resources, triage protocols, and consistent messaging across the practice could help reduce the role of rumor, yard culture, and informal peer advice in high-stakes decisions. Nottingham’s earlier work has already highlighted that telephone triage for equine colic has been unstandardized in UK practice, pointing to another place where communication systems could improve outcomes. (madbarn.com)

Why it matters: Colic remains a leading equine emergency, and this study suggests that misinformation and social dynamics can directly affect whether horses are referred promptly for advanced care. For veterinarians, the message is less about producing more educational content and more about designing communication that changes behavior: earlier outreach, scenario-based planning, transparent discussion of costs and insurance, and reinforcement from the whole care team. (link.springer.com)

What to watch: The next step is likely more intervention-focused research, including tools that test whether behavior-change frameworks, practice champions, or pre-visit education can measurably improve referral decisions and emergency response in real-world colic cases. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)