Analysis of horse movements from non-commercial horse properties in New Zealand.
Abstract: To investigate property-level factors associated with the movement of horses from non-commercial horse properties, including the size and location of the property, number and reason for keeping horses. Methods: Using a cross-sectional survey 2,912 questionnaires were posted to randomly selected non-commercial horse properties listed in a rural property database. The survey collected information about the number of horses, and reasons for keeping horses on the property, and any movement of horses in the previous 12 months. Three property-level outcomes were investigated; the movement status of the property, the frequency of movement events, and the median distance travelled from a property. Associations were examined using logistic regression and Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance. Results: In total 62.0% (488/791) of respondents reported at least one movement event in the year prior to the survey, for a total of 22,050 movement events. The number of movement events from a property varied significantly by the number of horses on the property (p<0.02), while the median distance travelled per property varied significantly by both region (p<0.03) and property size (p<0.01). Region, property size, the number of horses kept, and keeping horses for competition, recreation, racing or as pets were all significantly associated with movement status in the multivariable analyses (p<0.001). Conclusions: This study showed that there are characteristics of non-commercial horse properties that influence movement behaviour. During an exotic disease outbreak the ability to identify properties with these characteristics for targeted control will enhance the effectiveness of control measures.
Publication Date: 2013-02-27 PubMed ID: 23441839DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2012.750571Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This study explores the movement habits of horses kept on non-commercial properties in New Zealand, investigating how property aspects such as size and location, as well as the number and reasons for housing horses, affect these movements.
Methodology
- The study utilized a cross-sectional survey design. Approximately 2,912 questionnaires were mailed to randomly selected non-commercial horse properties from a rural property database.
- The questionnaire collected details around the number of horses, reasons for keeping horses on the property, and any movement of horses during the last 12 months.
- The analysis focused on three primary factors: the movement status of the property, the frequency of moving events, and the average distance travelled from a property.
- Associations between these factors and the survey responses were examined using logistic regression and Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance.
Results
- Of the total respondents, 62.0% (representing 488 of the total 791 respondents) reported at least one movement event during the year before the survey. This resulted in a total of 22,050 movement events.
- Significant variations were found in the number of movement events from a property based on the number of horses on the property (p<0.02).
- The average distance a horse travelled from a property varied significantly by both region (p<0.03) and property size (p<0.01).
- In the multivariable analyses, factors such as region, property size, the number of horses kept, and the reasons for keeping horses (competition, recreation, racing, pets) were all found to be significantly associated with movement status (p<0.001).
Conclusions
- The research demonstrates that there are certain characteristics of non-commercial horse properties that influence the movement behavior of horses.
- Understanding these characteristics can be crucial during an exotic disease outbreak. Identifying properties with these characteristics and targeting control measures could increase the effectiveness of pre-emtive efforts against such outbreaks.
Cite This Article
APA
Rosanowski SM, Cogger N, Rogers CW, Bolwell CF, Benschop J, Stevenson MA.
(2013).
Analysis of horse movements from non-commercial horse properties in New Zealand.
N Z Vet J, 61(5), 245-253.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2012.750571 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute of Veterinary, Animal, and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. s.rosanowski@massey.ac.nz
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Commerce
- Data Collection
- Horses
- New Zealand
- Pets
- Recreation
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Transportation
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Riley CB, Padalino B, Rogers CW, Thompson KR. Human Injuries Associated with the Transport of Horses by Road. Animals (Basel) 2023 May 10;13(10).
- Riley CB, Rogers CW, Thompson KR, Guiver D, Padalino B. A Survey-Based Analysis of Injuries to Horses Associated with Transport by Road in New Zealand. Animals (Basel) 2022 Jan 21;12(3).
- 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.
- Spence KL, Cardwell JM, Slater J, Rosanowski SM. Preliminary insight into horse owners' perceptions of, and attitudes towards, exotic diseases in the United Kingdom. BMC Vet Res 2019 Oct 12;15(1):338.
- 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.
- Rosanowski SM, Carpenter TE, Adamson D, Rogers CW, Pearce P, Burns M, Cogger N. An economic analysis of a contingency model utilising vaccination for the control of equine influenza in a non-endemic country. PLoS One 2019;14(1):e0210885.
- 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.
- 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.
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