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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2020; 10(10); doi: 10.3390/ani10101862

COVID-19: Impact on United Kingdom Horse Owners.

Abstract: COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic on 11 March 2020; the United Kingdom (UK) implemented quarantine measures shortly afterward, resulting in rapid changes in how owners managed and interacted with their horses. This study provides a rapid analysis of the initial impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the management of UK leisure and competition horses. A 17 question online survey was distributed via equestrian social media sites to ascertain the impact of COVID-19 on horse and yard management and on human-horse interactions. Frequency analysis combined with Chi-squared and thematic analyses identified the impact of COVID-19 on UK horse owners. Major changes within horse management and horse-human interactions were reported for the majority of horse owners (>65%), regardless of the establishment type or region. Social distancing and visiting restrictions were implemented at most yards, but nearly half were not providing hand sanitization or disinfection protocols for the shared areas/equipment to prevent cross-contamination between users. The financial impact of the pandemic combined with restricted access to veterinary professionals resulted in owners expressing concerns that horse health and welfare may be compromised as a result. Horse owners also felt that the reduced opportunities for horse-human interactions were negatively affecting their mental health and wellbeing.
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Publication Date: 2020-10-13 PubMed ID: 33066021PubMed Central: PMC7600939DOI: 10.3390/ani10101862Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study explores the impact of COVID-19 on the management of leisure and competition horses in the UK. It reveals significant changes in horse-human interactions and horse management due to distancing measures, with potential implications on both horse welfare and owners’ mental health.

Introduction

The research focused on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent quarantine measures on horse owners in the UK. The goal was to quickly analyze how the pandemic had disrupted the management and communication between horses and their owners.

  • The study was conducted through a 17-question online survey.
  • The survey was distributed via social media platforms frequented by equestrians.
  • The survey was intended to understand the impact of COVID-19 on horse management and horse-human interactions.

Results and Analysis

Upon gathering the responses, statistical techniques including frequency analysis, Chi-squared testing and thematic analyses were used to identify the effects of COVID-19 on horse owners in the UK.

  • Over 65% of horse owners reported major changes in their horse management and horse-human interactions. This finding was consistent across different types of equestrian establishments and regions.
  • Social distancing and visiting restrictions were implemented at most horse yards.
  • Despite measures to prevent the spread of the virus, nearly half of the equestrian facilities were not implementing hand sanitization or disinfection protocols for shared areas and equipment, posing a risk for cross-contamination.

Impacts on Horse Health and Owner Wellbeing

The research highlights concerns that the pandemic might have negative implications on horse health and welfare as well as the mental health of horse owners.

  • The financial impact of the pandemic, coupled with restricted access to veterinary professionals, made horse owners worry about potential compromises to horse health and welfare.
  • Horse owners also expressed concerns that the decreased opportunities for human-horse interactions were negatively affecting their mental health and wellbeing.

Cite This Article

APA
Williams JM, Randle H, Marlin D. (2020). COVID-19: Impact on United Kingdom Horse Owners. Animals (Basel), 10(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10101862

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 10

Researcher Affiliations

Williams, Jane M
  • Hartpury University, Gloucester GL19 3BE, UK.
Randle, Hayley
  • School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Wagga Wagga Campus, Charles Sturt University, North Wagga Wagga NSW 2650, Australia.
Marlin, David
  • David Marlin Consulting, P.O. BOX 187, Cambridge CB4 0WZ, UK.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 15 times.
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