A description of the demographic characteristics of the New Zealand non-commercial horse population with data collected using a generalised random-tessellation stratified sampling design.
Abstract: We conducted a cross-sectional survey to determine the demographic characteristics of non-commercial horses in New Zealand. A sampling frame of properties with non-commercial horses was derived from the national farms database, AgriBase™. Horse properties were stratified by property size and a generalised random-tessellated stratified (GRTS) sampling strategy was used to select properties (n=2912) to take part in the survey. The GRTS sampling design allowed for the selection of properties that were spatially balanced relative to the distribution of horse properties throughout the country. The registered decision maker of the property, as identified in AgriBase™, was sent a questionnaire asking them to describe the demographic characteristics of horses on the property, including the number and reason for keeping horses, as well as information about other animals kept on the property and the proximity of boundary neighbours with horses. The response rate to the survey was 38% (1044/2912) and the response rate was not associated with property size or region. A total of 5322 horses were kept for recreation, competition, racing, breeding, stock work, or as pets. The reasons for keeping horses and the number and class of horses varied significantly between regions and by property size. Of the properties sampled, less than half kept horses that could have been registered with Equestrian Sports New Zealand or either of the racing codes. Of the respondents that reported knowing whether their neighbours had horses, 58.6% (455/776) of properties had at least one boundary neighbour that kept horses. The results of this study have important implications for New Zealand, which has an equine population that is naïve to many equine diseases considered endemic worldwide. The ability to identify, and apply accurate knowledge of the population at risk to infectious disease control strategies would lead to more effective strategies to control and prevent disease spread during an exotic, infectious disease outbreak, but could also highlight groups within the population that require targeted surveillance.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2012-07-04 PubMed ID: 22766270DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2012.05.016Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research outlines a comprehensive survey of non-commercial horse populations in New Zealand. It provides significant demographic data and insights, with potential implications for disease control and prevention strategies due to the unique characteristics of the country’s equine population.
Study Design and Sampling Strategy
- The survey followed a cross-sectional design to understand the demographic particulars of non-commercial horses in New Zealand.
- The researchers developed a sampling frame from properties with non-commercial horses, which they sourced from AgriBase™, a national farms database.
- The study stratified properties based on size and applied a Generalised Random-tessellation Stratified (GRTS) sampling approach. This allowed the survey to include properties distributed evenly across the national landscape.
- In total, the study selected 2912 properties as survey participants.
Survey Methodology and Data Collection
- The individuals registered as the decision-makers for their respective properties received questionnaires that requested comprehensive details about their horses’ demographic profile. This information included reasons for owning horses, their number, class, and other animals residing on the property.
- The study also collected data on the proximity of neighbouring properties that also housed horses.
- The response rate to the survey was 38%. The researchers recorded a total of 5322 horses, with purposes ranging from recreation, competition, breeding, racing, and pet ownership to stock work.
Key Findings
- The survey showed variations in reasons for horse ownership, as well as in the number and horse categories, based on region and property size.
- Less than half of the surveyed properties housed horses that could have been registered with Equestrian Sports New Zealand or any racing codes.
- Out of those respondents who were aware of their neighbours’ horse-owning status, 58.6% had at least one adjacent neighbour that owned horses.
Implications of the Study
- This research carries significant implications for New Zealand’s equine population, as it allows for strategic planning around the potential threat of endemic global equine diseases affecting New Zealand’s horses.
- By providing detailed knowledge about the horse population at risk, it will enable the development of more effective strategies for controlling and preventing infectious disease spread during a disease outbreak.
- It can also help identify groups within the horse population that may need targeted surveillance to prevent disease spread.
Cite This Article
APA
Rosanowski SM, Cogger N, Rogers CW, Benschop J, Stevenson MA.
(2012).
A description of the demographic characteristics of the New Zealand non-commercial horse population with data collected using a generalised random-tessellation stratified sampling design.
Prev Vet Med, 107(3-4), 242-252.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2012.05.016 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- EpiCentre, Institute of Veterinary, Animal, and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North, New Zealand. sarah.rosanowski@estendart.co.nz
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Demography
- Disease Outbreaks / prevention & control
- Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horses
- Models, Statistical
- New Zealand
- Surveys and Questionnaires
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Rashid MH, Vaughan JL, Stevenson MA, Campbell AJD, Saeed MA, Indjein L, Beveridge I, Jabbar A. Epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematodes of alpacas in Australia: I. A cross-sectional study.. Parasitol Res 2019 Mar;118(3):891-900.
- Padalino B, Rogers CW, Guiver D, Thompson KR, Riley CB. A Survey-Based Investigation of Human Factors Associated With Transport Related Injuries in Horses.. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:294.
- Padalino B, Rogers CW, Guiver D, Bridges JP, Riley CB. Risk Factors for Transport-Related Problem Behaviors in Horses: A New Zealand Survey.. Animals (Basel) 2018 Aug 2;8(8).
- Spence KL, O'Sullivan TL, Poljak Z, Greer AL. A longitudinal study describing horse demographics and movements during a competition season in Ontario, Canada.. Can Vet J 2018 Jul;59(7):783-790.
- Gronqvist G, Rogers C, Gee E. The Management of Horses during Fireworks in New Zealand.. Animals (Basel) 2016 Mar 9;6(3).
- Rogers CW, Bolwell CF, Gee EK. Proactive Management of the Equine Athlete.. Animals (Basel) 2012 Dec 19;2(4):640-55.
- Toombs-Ruane LJ, Riley CB, Kendall AT, Bolwell CF, Benschop J, Rosanowski SM. Antimicrobial Susceptibilities of Aerobic Isolates from Respiratory Samples of Young New Zealand Horses.. J Vet Intern Med 2015 Nov-Dec;29(6):1700-6.
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