Biosecurity perspectives of equestrian competition organizers in Ontario, Canada.
Abstract: Biosecurity plays an important role in the prevention and control of infectious disease outbreaks in the equine population. With competition organizers responsible for implementing and upholding biosecurity requirements at competitions, it is important to understand the biosecurity landscape at these locations where Ontario horses commonly travel and interact in large group settings. Unassigned: The objective of this study was to describe the perspectives, challenges and experiences of competition organizers of both sanctioned and unsanctioned events in Ontario, Canada regarding implementing equine biosecurity at competitions. Unassigned: This study used a qualitative content analysis in order to gather data describing the lived experiences of competition organizers. Unassigned: Of 53 invited participants, semi-structured, individual interviews were conducted virtually with 10 Ontario competition organizers in English disciplines (Eventing, Dressage, Hunter/Jumper). A qualitative, inductive coding method was used to analyze the interview data. Unassigned: Interviews resulted in two major categories: (i) biosecurity at competitions is a balancing act among other important considerations and (ii) there is a disconnect between groups that play key roles in biosecurity at competitions. Unassigned: The recruitment process allowed for the possibility of introducing self-selection bias where some of the participants may have an existing interest in biosecurity, which may not be representative of all competition organizers. Individual interviews as well as the design of the interview guide helped to mitigate some potential for social desirability bias. Unassigned: Biosecurity at equestrian competitions is a multifaceted issue that requires stakeholder input and buy-in to be successful. However, there is an overall willingness from competition organizers to work toward finding a path forward to improving biosecurity and maintaining equine health and welfare at competitions.
Copyright © 2026 Turcotte, O’Sullivan, Spence, Winder and Greer.
Publication Date: 2026-01-23 PubMed ID: 41659966PubMed Central: PMC12875910DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1713303Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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Overview
- This study explores the perspectives, challenges, and experiences of equestrian competition organizers in Ontario, Canada regarding the implementation of biosecurity measures at horse competitions.
- The research highlights the complexities and stakeholder dynamics involved in maintaining equine biosecurity during events where horses gather and interact.
Research Objective
- To describe the viewpoints of organizers of both sanctioned and unsanctioned equestrian competitions about biosecurity practices.
- To identify challenges they face and their overall experience with implementing infectious disease prevention measures at such events.
Study Design and Methodology
- Qualitative content analysis was employed to gather in-depth data on organizers’ lived experiences.
- The study invited 53 competition organizers from Ontario and conducted virtual, semi-structured individual interviews with 10 participants.
- Participants represented English riding disciplines: Eventing, Dressage, and Hunter/Jumper.
- Data were analyzed using inductive qualitative coding to identify themes and categories from interview transcripts.
Key Findings
- Two major thematic categories emerged:
- 1. Balancing Act: Implementing biosecurity measures involves balancing multiple priorities including event logistics, participant compliance, and animal welfare.
- 2. Disconnect Among Stakeholders: There is a perceived lack of alignment and communication between different groups responsible for biosecurity, such as organizers, horse owners, and regulatory bodies.
Challenges Identified
- Difficulties in ensuring adherence to biosecurity protocols amid varying levels of stakeholder commitment.
- Resource constraints affecting organizers’ ability to enforce or promote stringent disease prevention measures.
- Communication gaps that hinder cohesive implementation and understanding of biosecurity importance.
Bias and Limitations
- Potential self-selection bias: participants who chose to participate may have been more interested or engaged in biosecurity issues, possibly skewing perspectives.
- Social desirability bias was addressed by individual interviews and carefully designed questions, reducing participants’ likelihood to provide overly favorable responses.
Conclusions and Implications
- Biosecurity management at equestrian competitions is complex and requires collaboration among multiple stakeholders.
- Despite challenges, competition organizers are generally motivated to improve biosecurity practices.
- The findings suggest the need for enhanced communication, education, and shared responsibility to effectively prevent equine infectious disease outbreaks in competitive settings.
- Stakeholder engagement and buy-in are critical to achieving sustainable improvements in biosecurity and safeguarding equine health and welfare.
Cite This Article
APA
Turcotte GK, O'Sullivan TL, Spence KL, Winder CB, Greer AL.
(2026).
Biosecurity perspectives of equestrian competition organizers in Ontario, Canada.
Front Vet Sci, 12, 1713303.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1713303 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Human Health Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, ON, Canada.
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, ON, Canada.
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, ON, Canada.
- Department of Biology, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The author(s) declared that this work was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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