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.

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.