Parasite management practices used by owners of Australian Pony Club horses and the factors influencing their decision-making processes.

Research Overview

• This study investigated parasite management practices among Australian Pony Club horse owners and explored the factors that influence their decision-making processes.

Study Purpose and Context

• There is limited information about how individual horse owners in Australia manage parasites in their horses.
• Understanding these practices and influences can help identify gaps and risks to improve parasite management strategies and horse health.

Methodology

• A voluntary, anonymous online survey was conducted among members of Pony Club Australia.
• The survey topics included:
  • Horse population characteristics
  • Housing conditions
  • Paddock, manure, and parasite management practices
  • Owner attitudes toward parasite control
• A total of 98 completed responses were analyzed.

Key Findings on Parasite Management Practices

• Almost all respondents (95/98) reported that their horses spent time in paddocks, indicating outdoor exposure.
• A high proportion (91/98) routinely administered anthelmintics (dewormers) to their horses.
• Regarding dosing practices:
  • 42 out of 98 owners estimated their horse’s body weight rather than accurately measuring it, which may affect dosing accuracy.
  • 78 out of 98 could recall the specific dewormer brand or active ingredient last used, showing a reasonable level of owner awareness.
• Macrocyclic lactones were the most commonly used class of dewormers (used by 75 out of 78 respondents who named a class), reflecting current deworming trends.

Sources of Information and Trusted Advice

• Veterinarians and scientific papers were rated as highly trusted sources of information by the majority of respondents (83/97 and 80/97 respectively).
• This shows owners generally value expert and research-based guidance for parasite management.

Barriers and Challenges Identified

• Multiple barriers to optimal parasite control were reported by owners:
  • Time constraints limiting thorough management practices.
  • Cost concerns related to parasite control measures.
  • Influence of peer practices, which may perpetuate inconsistent or suboptimal methods.
  • Environmental challenges such as pasture contamination or management issues.
  • Conflicting information leading to confusion about the best parasite control strategies.

Owner Responses and Decision-Making

• Despite challenges, many owners expressed a sense of agency and responsibility to improve their knowledge and seek expert advice.
• Owners aimed to create healthy environments, emphasizing good pasture management and overall horse welfare.
• This proactive approach supports a potential shift toward more effective and holistic parasite control strategies.

Implications and Recommendations

• The study identified risky practices, such as inaccurate weight estimation for dosing, which can contribute to ineffective parasite control or drug resistance.
• There are opportunities for:
  • Increased engagement by veterinarians to provide tailored advice and support.
  • Enhanced owner education focusing on accurate dosing, pasture management, and integrated parasite control.
  • Promotion of a holistic approach combining chemical control with environmental and management strategies.
• Overall, fostering better knowledge and practices among horse owners can improve horse health and reduce parasite-related risks.