Notebook
More than 4,000 participants completed a recent survey done to better understand the effects of COVID-19 among horse owners, riders, trainers, grooms, stable managers, and other equine professionals.The survey closed on April 4, 2020.
David Marlin, BSc, Ph.D., a physiologist and biochemist with more than 25 years of experience in academia and the equine industry, teamed up with
Flair, LLC, and Science Supplements USA to launch the survey for those in the United States and Canada. While there is no evidence that this coronavirus (SARSCoV-2) is a problem for horses, more than 40 percent of respondents reported they have had to change their horse’s management because of the pandemic.
Some other findings from the survey include:
Over half of respondents reported their interactions with their horse has changed. For those that had to make changes, 58 percent said the changes were not their own choice.
60 percent of respondents did not have to reduce the number of times per day they visited their horse(s).
Regarding the ability to ride their horse, 35 percent of respondents reported they could still ride as normal, while 28 percent reduced their riding—either due to restraints placed upon them by others or due to their own choice. Almost 30 percent reported not being able to continue riding their horse, either due to restraints placed upon them or by others. For 6 percent of respondents, their horse is not ridden or was not being ridden.
A large majority, over 86 percent, reported they have not been advised nor have they seen advice suggesting they alter their horse’s management to full-time turn out (in order to limit the need to travel or visit the barn for feeding, handling, and cleaning stalls).
A large majority, nearly 88 percent, reported their horse is not likely to have to undergo prolonged stall confinement as a result of COVID-19.
In light of the changes to routine needed to reduce the spread of COVID-19, 9 percent were concerned for the health of their horse, almost 27 percent were
slightly concerned, and almost 64 percent were not concerned for the health of their horse.
Of the 2,221 respondents that board, nearly 84 percent reported their barn has implemented measures to allow for social distancing and most felt the measures are satisfactory.
Approximately 40 percent are concerned that the ongoing situation may make it difficult to provide for their horses’ needs (e.g., board costs, feed, forage, farrier bills, vet bills).
Additional researchers included Louisa Taylor, BVM, BVS (Hons), BVMedSci (Hons), MRCVS;
Jane Williams, Ph.D., of Hartpury University, UK; Shannon Pratt-Phillips, Ph.D., of North Carolina
State University; and Jenna Kutzner-Mulligan, M.S., of Science Supplements USA. A similar survey was conducted for those located in the United Kingdom and for those located in Australia.