This is a study looking at how PRE (Purebred Spanish) and PSL (Purosangue Lusitano) horses are fed and kept across different countries in the world, as well as looking at the incidence of health problems in this horses. Before you take part in our survey it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please take time to read the following information carefully. The study is starting in 2026 for 36 months initially.

No, it is up to you to decide whether or not to take part. There will be no adverse consequences in terms of your legal rights and your treatment, that is, there will be no impact if you decide not to participate or to withdraw at a later stage. If you decide to take part but change your mind you are free to withdraw at any time and without giving a reason. Any information you have submitted will be destroyed and not retained in any form that could be traced back to you.

You will be asked to complete a questionnaire about the feeding and management practices you implement for your horses and give details about the incidence and nature of any digestive or metabolic issues your horses have experienced. Any information will be anonymised.

There is a time burden associated with participating in this study for completing the questionnaire: we estimate that to be 10-15 minutes and if you choose to complete the last section of the survey for more than one horse, it might take slightly longer.

You may also not want to disclose information about how you manage your horses or details of any problems they have had. If you have any concerns about these aspects, even though they are anonymised, you should think very carefully before agreeing to participate.

You will be contributing to an area of study where little is currently known and to a better understanding of issues of Iberian horses. You will help shape advanced, evidence-based and science-led advice on how to feed and keep PRE and PSL horses (understanding the differences between these two breeds).

The results of this study are likely to be submitted for consideration to be presented at conferences and for publication in scientific journals. Any information will be anonymised so that no one would be able to identify you from this material. If you choose to provide an email address as part of the survey, you may be contacted to participate in further surveys and studies as part of this research in the near future. You can opt out of further communications at any time by contacting the lead researcher (contact details can be found at the bottom of this website).

This research is not funded by any external organisation and the researchers declare no conflict of interest. This study has obtained approval from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Ethics Review Panel.