Attitudes towards implementation of surveillance-based parasite control on Kentucky Thoroughbred farms – Current strategies, awareness and willingness-to-pay.

The research article investigates the attitudes and willingness of Kentucky Thoroughbred farm managers to shift from traditional regular deworming programs for equine parasite control to more modern surveillance-based strategies. It uses a questionnaire survey to collect the data, analysing the participants’ preferences on costs, efforts needed, disease-risk levels and risks of anthelmintic resistance involved in both strategies.

Research Methodology

• The study employs a questionnaire survey conducted among the members of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers’ Club.
• Data collected from the survey included demographic information and details on the current parasite control strategies used at the farm.
• Additionally, participants were asked to choose from hypothetical parasite control strategies featuring various attributes: the costs involved, the time and effort needed, theoretical disease risk levels, and the potential risk of anthelmintic resistance.
• The collected data was then thoroughly analysed using multivariable logistic analysis.

Research Findings

• About 26% of the contacted farm managers participated in the survey (112 responses).
• The majority of respondents expressed concern about anthelmintic resistance and integrated veterinary advice into their deworming programs.
• Despite this, about 70% were still following a traditional rotational deworming program with minimal or no faecal surveillance.
• It was found that respondents were willing to pay more for a product if it can guarantee no known anthelmintic resistance and provide the highest possible reduction in health risks.
• Several factors were significantly associated with the type of parasite control program used:
  • The number of young horses on the farm.
  • The involvement of a veterinarian in developing a deworming programme.
  • The level of concern about drug resistance in parasites.
  • Having documented drug resistance on the farm.

Conclusion

• The traditional methods for equine parasite control are still largely in use in the Kentucky Thoroughbred industry.
• However, the appetite for a shift to surveillance-based strategies is apparent, with the main condition being that these new methods should provide significant assurance against anthelmintic resistance and decrease health risks considerably.