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The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne2020; 61(9); 985-989;

Compliance with the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines on 50 horse farms in Prince Edward Island.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the proportion of horse farms on Prince Edward Island, Canada that comply with the requirements of the (Code). An investigator performed on-farm assessments while administering a questionnaire to owners of 50 horse farms. The percentage of farms in compliance with specific requirements in the Code ranged from 20% to 100% per requirement. The largest areas of non-compliance regarding facilities and housing were the lack of the ability to segregate sick or injured animals and the lack of an emergency action plan. It was determined that 72% of farms were in compliance with body condition scores and 54% reported to have taken corrective action when required. Farm owners who were aware of the Code were more likely to have good quality air in their barns as well as an emergency action plan in place. L’objectif de la présente étude était de déterminer la proportion de fermes équines sur l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard, Canada qui se conforme aux exigences du (Code). Un enquêteur effectua des évaluations à la ferme tout en procédant à un questionnaire auprès des propriétaires de 50 fermes équines. Le pourcentage de fermes en conformité avec des exigences spécifiques du Code variait de 20 % à 100 % selon l’exigence. Les secteurs les plus importants de nonconformité en regard des facilités et de logement étaient l’absence de la capacité à isoler les animaux malades ou blessés et l’absence d’un plan d’action d’urgence. Il fut déterminé que 72 % des fermes étaient en conformité pour les pointages d’état de chair et 54 % rapportèrent d’avoir pris les actions correctives lorsque requises. Les propriétaires de ferme qui étaient au courant du Code étaient plus susceptibles d’avoir un air de bonne qualité dans leurs fermes ainsi qu’un plan d’action d’urgence en place.(Traduit par D Serge Messier).
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Publication Date: 2020-09-04 PubMed ID: 32879525PubMed Central: PMC7424938
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Summary

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The study assesses the compliance rate of 50 horse farms in Prince Edward Island, Canada, with the ‘Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines’. Results varied, with compliance rates ranging from 20% to 100% depending on the requirement, and the presence of an emergency action plan and the ability to segregate sick or injured animals found to be the most common areas of non-compliance.

Research Methodology

  • The study was carried out on 50 horse farms in the Prince Edward Island region in Canada. A singular investigator was tasked with performing on-farm assessments while administering questionnaires to the farm owners.

Compliance Rates

  • An extensive range in compliance levels was uncovered, with different farms meeting different requirements of the Code from 20% to 100%, showcasing a great variety in the care and handling practices of equines in the area.

Areas of Non-Compliance

  • The study identified two areas of considerable non-compliance. Firstly, many farms lacked the capability to segregate or isolate sick or injured animals, jeopardising the health and safety of all animals in the same housing.
  • Secondly, a lot of farms did not have an emergency action plan in place, suggesting a lack of preparedness for unexpected or dangerous scenarios.

Body Condition and Corrective Actions

  • The study also assessed the physical condition of the horses. It was found that 72% of the farms assessed were in compliance with the body condition scores, indicating that most horses were in decent health.
  • About 54% of the farms reported taking corrective actions when necessary, indicating an active response to issues and concerns.

Code Awareness

  • A key observation made was that farm owners who were aware of the Code were significantly more likely to maintain high-quality air in their barns and have an emergency action plan in place, underscoring the need for increased awareness and understanding of the Code for improving equine care.

Cite This Article

APA
MacMillan KM, Millican LJ, Burns JJ, McClure JT, Vanderstichel R. (2020). Compliance with the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines on 50 horse farms in Prince Edward Island. Can Vet J, 61(9), 985-989.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 61
Issue: 9
Pages: 985-989

Researcher Affiliations

MacMillan, Kathleen M
  • Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3, Canada.
Millican, Lisa J
  • Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3, Canada.
Burns, Jennifer J
  • Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3, Canada.
McClure, J Trenton
  • Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3, Canada.
Vanderstichel, Raphael
  • Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3, Canada.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Canada
  • Farms
  • Horses
  • Prince Edward Island / epidemiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

References

This article includes 16 references
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