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PloS one2019; 14(7); e0219771; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219771

Descriptive analysis of horse movement networks during the 2015 equestrian season in Ontario, Canada.

Abstract: Horses are a highly mobile population, with many travelling locally, nationally, and internationally to participate in shows and sporting events. However, the nature and extent of these movements, as well as the potential impact they may have on disease introduction and spread, is not well documented. The objective of this study was to characterise the movement network of a sample of horses in Ontario, Canada, over a 7-month equestrian season. Horse owners (n = 141) documented their travel patterns with their horse(s) (n = 330) by completing monthly online questionnaires between May and November 2015. Directed networks were constructed to represent horse movements in 1-month time periods. A total of 1754 horse movements met the inclusion criteria for analysis. A variety of location types were included in each monthly network, with many including non-facilities such as parks, trails, and private farms. Only 34.3% of competitions attended by participants during the study period were regulated by an official equestrian organisation. Comparisons of the similarity between monthly networks indicated that participants did not travel to the same locations each month, and the most connected locations varied between consecutive months. While the findings should not be generalized to the wider horse population, they have provided greater insight into the nature and extent of observed horse movement patterns. The results support the need to better understand the variety of locations to which horses can travel in Ontario, as different types of locations may have different associated risks of disease introduction and spread.
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Publication Date: 2019-07-11 PubMed ID: 31295312PubMed Central: PMC6622551DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219771Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

The research study provides an insight into the pattern of horse movement in Ontario during the 2015 equestrian season, as well as its potential influence on disease introduction and spread. It was accomplished by analyzing the travel patterns of a sample of horse owners over a seven-month period.

Research Objective

  • The primary aim of this study was to understand the movement pattern of horses in Ontario, Canada, over a seven-month equestrian season. The pattern was calculated based on the monthly travel records provided by horse owners. The analysis centered on determining the variety of locations horses traveled to, the regularity of these travels, and how their travel patterns could potentially contribute towards the transmission and spread of diseases.

Methodology

  • A sample group of 141 horse owners, owning a total of 330 horses, participated in the research. These owners documented their horses’ travel patterns by completing online questionnaires from May to November 2015. Their responses were used to construct directed networks representing horse movements in one-month time periods.
  • A total of 1,754 horse movements met the criteria for inclusion in the analysis. Various location types were included in each monthly network.

Findings

  • The study found that a significant portion of the horse population traveled to non-facility locations like parks, trails, and private farms. It also revealed that less than 35% of competitions attended by participants during the study period were regulated by an official equestrian organization.
  • Comparative analysis of monthly networks showed that horses did not travel to the same locations every month. Also, the most connected locations varied between consecutive months. This finding indicates the high mobility and constantly changing modes of travel among the horse population.

Implications

  • Although the results should not be generalized to the wider horse population, they provide a greater understanding of horse movement patterns and their potential implications on disease introduction and spread.
  • The study highlights the need to better understand the variety of locations horses can travel to. Different types of locations could potentially have different associated risks of disease introduction and spread, hence knowledge of these locations can help in effective disease management and control.

Cite This Article

APA
Spence KL, O'Sullivan TL, Poljak Z, Greer AL. (2019). Descriptive analysis of horse movement networks during the 2015 equestrian season in Ontario, Canada. PLoS One, 14(7), e0219771. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0219771

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 7
Pages: e0219771
PII: e0219771

Researcher Affiliations

Spence, Kelsey L
  • Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
O'Sullivan, Terri L
  • Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Poljak, Zvonimir
  • Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Greer, Amy L
  • Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horses / physiology
  • Humans
  • Livestock / physiology
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Movement / physiology
  • Ontario
  • Records
  • Seasons
  • Sports
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Travel

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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Citations

This article has been cited 7 times.
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