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The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne2018; 59(7); 783-790; doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-8-43

A longitudinal study describing horse demographics and movements during a competition season in Ontario, Canada.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to describe the demographics and movement patterns of a sample of horses in Ontario, Canada. A convenience sample of 222 owners completed an initial questionnaire to provide demographic information for 570 horses. These horses were enrolled in a longitudinal study to document their movements from May to November 2015 using a monthly questionnaire. The median age of the participating horses was 11 years (IQR: 8 to 16 years). The primary discipline of participating horses included competitive disciplines (63.3%), leisure (33.3%), and racing (3.2%). During the 7-month period, there were 3001 unidirectional movements of horses between facilities. Reasons for travel on/off a facility included attending a competition (38.7%), leisure activities (18.8%), and training (7.5%). The demographic and movement data presented in this study provide insight into the characteristics of a subset of horses in Ontario, and may contribute to outbreak preparedness in the population. L’objectif de cette étude consistait à décrire les données démographiques et les mouvements d’un échantillon de chevaux en Ontario, au Canada. Un échantillon utile était composé de 222 propriétaires qui ont rempli un premier questionnaire afin de fournir des données démographiques pour 570 chevaux. Ces chevaux étaient inscrits dans une étude longitudinale afin de documenter leurs mouvements de mai à novembre 2015 à l’aide d’un questionnaire mensuel. L’âge médian des chevaux participants était de 11 ans (IQR : 8 à 16 ans). La discipline primaire des chevaux participants comprenait des disciplines de compétition (63,3 %), d’agrément (33,3 %) et de course (3,2 %). Durant la période de 7 mois, il y a eu 3001 déplacements unidirectionnels de chevaux entre les installations. Les raisons des déplacements à l’aller ou au départ d’une installation incluaient une compétition (38,7 %), des activités d’agrément (18,8 %) et l’entraînement (7,5 %). Les données sur la démographie et les mouvements dans cette étude ont fourni des renseignements sur les caractéristiques d’un sous-groupe de chevaux en Ontario et pourront contribuer à la préparation aux éclosions au sein de la population.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).
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Publication Date: 2018-07-22 PubMed ID: 30026628PubMed Central: PMC6005130DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-8-43Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research focuses on analysing the demographics and movement patterns of horses in Ontario, Canada during a competition season. This study can provide helpful insight into the characteristics of the horse population, and contribute to outbreak preparedness.

Sample Composition and Methodology

  • An initial sample of 222 horse owners in Ontario, Canada, was selected to collect demographic details for 570 horses.
  • This was a convenience sample chosen based on availability and willingness of the owners to participate in the research.
  • The owners filled out a questionnaire to provide the required information.
  • The horses documented in the study were part of a longitudinal expedition, designed to track their movements over an extended period.
  • This movement study followed the horses from May to November 2015, with a monthly questionnaire administered to gather periodic data.

Horse Demographics

  • The median age of horses enrolled in the study was 11 years, with an interquartile range (IQR) of 8 to 16 years.
  • The uses for these horses were divided into three categories: competitive disciplines, leisure, and racing.
  • A majority of the horses participated in competitive disciplines (63.3%).
  • Leisure activities accounted for 33.3% of their use, with the remaining 3.2% employed in racing.

Movement Patterns

  • The study documented 3001 unidirectional movements between facilities by horses during the seven-month period.
  • The primary reasons for these inter-facility travels were attendance in a competition (38.7%), leisure activities (18.8%), and training sessions (7.5%).

Significance of the Data

  • The demographic data, combined with the movement patterns, provide a detailed look into the characteristics of the participating horses.
  • Such insight is essential in understanding the overall population of horses in Ontario.
  • It also assists in preparing for potential disease outbreaks by studying patterns of movement.

Cite This Article

APA
Spence KL, O'Sullivan TL, Poljak Z, Greer AL. (2018). A longitudinal study describing horse demographics and movements during a competition season in Ontario, Canada. Can Vet J, 59(7), 783-790. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-6148-8-43

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 59
Issue: 7
Pages: 783-790

Researcher Affiliations

Spence, Kelsey L
  • Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario.
O'Sullivan, Terri L
  • Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario.
Poljak, Zvonimir
  • Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario.
Greer, Amy L
  • Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario.

MeSH Terms

  • Animal Husbandry / statistics & numerical data
  • Animals
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Horses
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Ontario / epidemiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Travel / statistics & numerical data
  • Vaccination / statistics & numerical data
  • Vaccination / veterinary

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. Brankston G, Rossi TM, O'Sullivan TL, Greer AL. Diagnostic testing patterns for Streptococcus equi subsp. equi in Ontario horses during the years 2008 to 2018. Can Vet J 2021 Jun;62(6):629-636.
    pubmed: 34219772
  2. Rossi TM, Milwid RM, Moore A, O'Sullivan TL, Greer AL. Descriptive network analysis of a Standardbred horse training facility contact network: Implications for disease transmission. Can Vet J 2020 Aug;61(8):853-859.
    pubmed: 32741991
  3. Spence KL, O'Sullivan TL, Poljak Z, Greer AL. Descriptive analysis of horse movement networks during the 2015 equestrian season in Ontario, Canada. PLoS One 2019;14(7):e0219771.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219771pubmed: 31295312google scholar: lookup
  4. Rossi TM, O'Sullivan TL, Greer AL. Descriptive network analysis of Ontario, Canada equine competitions: implications for disease control. BMC Vet Res 2025 Dec 23;22(1):43.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-05248-zpubmed: 41430608google scholar: lookup
  5. Ricci-Bonot C, Brosche K, Baragli P, Nicol C. A systematic review on the effect of individual characteristics and management practices on equine cognition. Anim Cogn 2025 Nov 26;28(1):96.
    doi: 10.1007/s10071-025-02016-2pubmed: 41296132google scholar: lookup
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