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BMC veterinary research2017; 13(1); 191; doi: 10.1186/s12917-017-1103-7

Descriptive and network analyses of the equine contact network at an equestrian show in Ontario, Canada and implications for disease spread.

Abstract: Identifying the contact structure within a population of horses attending a competition is an important element towards understanding the potential for the spread of equine pathogens as the horses subsequently travel from location to location. However, there is limited information in Ontario, Canada to quantify contact patterns of horses. The objective of this study was to describe the network of potential contacts associated with an equestrian show to determine how this network structure may influence potential disease transmission. Results: This was a descriptive study of horses attending an equestrian show in southern Ontario, Canada on July 6 and 7, 2014. Horse show participants completed a questionnaire about their horse, travel patterns, and infection control practices. Questionnaire responses were received from horse owners of 79.7% (55/69) of the horses attending the show. Owners reported that horses attending the show were vaccinated for diseases such as rabies, equine influenza, and equine herpesvirus. Owners demonstrated high compliance with most infection control practices by reporting reduced opportunities for direct and indirect contact while away from home. The two-mode undirected network consisted of 820 nodes (41 locations and 779 horses). Eight percent of nodes in the network represented horses attending the show, 87% of nodes represented horses not attending the show, but boarded at individual home facilities, and 5% represented locations. The median degree of a horse in the network was 33 (range: 1-105). Conclusions: Developing disease management strategies without the explicit consideration of horses boarded at individual home facilities would underestimate the connectivity of horses in the population. The results of this study provides information that can be used by equestrian show organizers to configure event management in such a way that can limit the extent of potential disease spread.
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Publication Date: 2017-06-21 PubMed ID: 28637457PubMed Central: PMC5480143DOI: 10.1186/s12917-017-1103-7Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 conducted a descriptive and network analysis of contacts among horses at an equestrian show in Ontario, Canada, inspecting potential pathways for disease spread. It investigated how the contact structure of horses at such shows could influence the transmission of equine pathogens.

Overview and Purpose of the Study

  • The research aimed to understand the contact structure of horses participating in equestrian shows, which can significantly contribute to our knowledge of how equine diseases potentially spread when horses move from one location to another.
  • Given the limited data about horses’ contact patterns in Ontario, this study becomes particularly important. The study’s primary objective was to describe the structure of potential contacts at an equestrian show and examine the network’s influence on possible disease transmissions.

Methodology of the Study

  • The research used a descriptive study approach for horses attending an equestrian show in southern Ontario on July 6 and 7, 2014.
  • Participants were requested to fill a questionnaire about their horses, their travel patterns, and their infection control practices.
  • The research was able to gather responses from owners of almost 80% of the horses attending the show, which provided useful insights into the vaccination and infection control practices followed.

Findings of the Study

  • The owners reported having their horses vaccinated for diseases including rabies, equine influenza, and equine herpesvirus.
  • The research discovered a high degree of compliance with infection control practices, with owners reporting reduced chances for direct and indirect contact while travelling.
  • In the network studied, only 8% of the nodes represented horses attending the show. The vast majority, 87% of nodes, corresponded to horses not present at the show but housed at individual home facilities.
  • The median degree, representing the number of direct connections to a horse in the network, was 33, ranging from 1-105.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The study concluded that disease management strategies should take into consideration the horses at individual home facilities, else they risk significantly underestimating the network connectivity.
  • The findings of this research provide valuable information that equestrian show organizers can use to manage events in a way that can potentially limit disease spread.

Cite This Article

APA
Spence KL, O'Sullivan TL, Poljak Z, Greer AL. (2017). Descriptive and network analyses of the equine contact network at an equestrian show in Ontario, Canada and implications for disease spread. BMC Vet Res, 13(1), 191. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-017-1103-7

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 1
Pages: 191

Researcher Affiliations

Spence, Kelsey L
  • Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
O'Sullivan, Terri L
  • Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
Poljak, Zvonimir
  • Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
Greer, Amy L
  • Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada. agreer@uoguelph.ca.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / transmission
  • Horses
  • Immunization / veterinary
  • Infection Control / methods
  • Ontario / epidemiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Transportation

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Citations

This article has been cited 10 times.
  1. Rossi TM, O'Sullivan TL, Greer AL. Descriptive network analysis of Ontario, Canada equine competitions: implications for disease control. BMC Vet Res 2025 Dec 23;22(1):43.
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  2. McGilvray TA, Stevens KB, Spence KL, Rosanowski SM, Slater J, Cardwell JM. Spatiotemporal patterns in British racing and equestrian sports: Implications for pathogen transmission. Equine Vet J 2026 Mar;58(2):497-507.
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  4. Fiedler JM, Ayre ML, Rosanowski S, Slater JD. Horses are worthy of care: Horse sector participants' attitudes towards animal sentience, welfare, and well-being. Anim Welf 2025;34:e6.
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  6. Brankston G, Rossi TM, O'Sullivan TL, Greer AL. Diagnostic testing patterns for Streptococcus equi subsp. equi in Ontario horses during the years 2008 to 2018. Can Vet J 2021 Jun;62(6):629-636.
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