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The Veterinary record2026; doi: 10.1002/vetr.70338

Feasibility and acceptability of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biosecurity measures in equine facilities: A cross-sectional study.

Abstract: Biosecurity measures are recommended in stables housing meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-positive horses, but their feasibility and acceptability, as well as their implementation barriers, remain unclear. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among clients of a veterinary teaching hospital using an online questionnaire. Information on horse activities, stable characteristics and perceptions (feasibility and acceptability scores) of recommended biosecurity measures for MRSA-positive horses was collected. Results: Fifty-seven horse and/or stable owners completed the questionnaire. Direct contact between horses and shared equipment was reported by 96% and 58% of the respondents, respectively. Hand sanitisers were present in 88% of the stables, but 12% lacked sinks. In a case of MRSA-positive horse, respondents strongly supported adherence to antibiotic therapy, avoidance of contact between horses or with high-risk body areas and hand washing. Measures requiring additional infrastructure or resources were perceived as less feasible and acceptable. Limited resources, financial constraints and seasonal factors were identified as barriers to implementation. Conclusions: The study population may not be representative of all horse facilities. Conclusions: While most measures were feasible and acceptable, challenges remain in implementing measures requiring additional infrastructures and staff.
© 2026 The Author(s). Veterinary Record published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Veterinary Association.
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Publication Date: 2026-01-31 PubMed ID: 41618751DOI: 10.1002/vetr.70338Google 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.

Overview

  • This study evaluated how practical and well-received certain biosecurity measures are for managing MRSA-positive horses in equine facilities.
  • The research identified challenges and barriers to implementing these measures, especially those needing extra resources or infrastructure.

Study Purpose and Background

  • Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria resistant to several antibiotics.
  • Horses can carry MRSA, and stable environments require biosecurity protocols to reduce the risk of spreading the bacteria.
  • While biosecurity measures are recommended, their real-world feasibility and acceptability by horse owners and facility managers were not well-understood prior to this study.

Study Design and Methods

  • A cross-sectional survey was conducted using an online questionnaire targeted at clients of a veterinary teaching hospital.
  • Fifty-seven horse and/or stable owners participated.
  • The questionnaire collected data on:
    • Types of horse activities
    • Stable characteristics
    • Perceptions regarding various recommended MRSA biosecurity measures, focusing on feasibility (practicality of implementation) and acceptability (willingness to use the measures)

Key Findings

  • Close contact between horses was very common, reported by 96% of respondents.
  • Sharing of equipment between horses was also frequent (58%).
  • Most stables (88%) had hand sanitizers available, but 12% lacked sinks for proper handwashing.
  • In the event of an MRSA-positive horse, respondents strongly supported:
    • Adhering to antibiotic therapy
    • Avoiding contact between horses or with high-risk body areas (e.g., wounds or areas likely to carry bacteria)
    • Handwashing as a basic biosecurity step
  • Measures that required additional infrastructure, resources, or staffing were seen as less feasible and less acceptable.
  • Barriers to implementing biosecurity included limited resources, financial constraints, and seasonal factors (which may affect horse management practices).

Conclusions and Implications

  • Most recommended biosecurity measures are generally feasible and acceptable in routine stable management.
  • Challenges arise mainly when measures require additional infrastructure, resources, or staff time.
  • Financial limitations and resource availability are key obstacles to comprehensive biosecurity implementation.
  • The study sample may not fully represent all equine facilities, especially outside the veterinary hospital’s client base.
  • Understanding these barriers can help in designing more practical and tailored biosecurity programs that consider facility constraints.

Cite This Article

APA
Planes P, Arsenault J, Allano M, Sauvé F. (2026). Feasibility and acceptability of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biosecurity measures in equine facilities: A cross-sectional study. Vet Rec. https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.70338

Publication

The Veterinary record
ISSN: 2042-7670
NlmUniqueID: 0031164
Country: England
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Planes, Pauline
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada.
Arsenault, Julie
  • Epidemiology of Zoonoses and Public Health Research Unit (GREZOSP) and Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada.
Allano, Marion
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada.
Sauvé, Frédéric
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada.

Grant Funding

  • Agri-Food Innovation Partnership Program under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership Agreement between the governments of Canada and Quebec

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