A survey of horse owners in Great Britain regarding horses in their care. Part 1: Horse demographic characteristics and management.

The research surveyed horse owners in Great Britain to identify demographic characteristics of horses and their management, with a specific focus on care relating to the respiratory system.

Research Objective

• The main objective of this research was to collect and assess information regarding how horses are kept and managed in Great Britain. The study specifically aimed to understand the demographic characteristics of horses and their care, paying particular attention to aspects tied to the respiratory system.

Research Methodology

• The research team used a self-administered postal questionnaire to collect data from horse owners.
• The selection of participants was random and geographically stratified.
• The researchers used a 2-stage cluster sampling methodology where they first selected veterinary practices and then their clients within these practices.

Research Findings

• The survey achieved a response rate of 68.2%. A subsequent investigation into the effect of non-response bias found only minimal differences between those who responded to the survey and those who didn’t, validating the overall results.
• The research provides a summary of the demographics, feeding, and overall management of horses in Great Britain.

Research Conclusions

• Results indicated that horses in Great Britain are kept under very diverse conditions. It was also identified that some horses could potentially be exposed to high concentrations of organic dust due to their stabling conditions.
• This research is important as it gives insight into the health and welfare of horses, particularly how their management and living conditions might affect their respiratory systems.