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BMC veterinary research2019; 15(1); 338; doi: 10.1186/s12917-019-2120-5

Preliminary insight into horse owners’ perceptions of, and attitudes towards, exotic diseases in the United Kingdom.

Abstract: The potential for an exotic disease incursion is a significant concern for the United Kingdom (UK) equine industry. Horse owners' perceptions of, and attitudes towards, exotic diseases can influence decisions to adopt disease preparedness strategies. The objectives of this study were to describe horse owners' 1) perceptions of the term 'exotic disease', and 2) attitudes towards their risk of being affected by an exotic disease. In order to address these objectives, qualitative content analysis was undertaken on data collected using two open-ended survey questions. Results: Horse owners (n = 423) perceived exotic diseases as 1) belonging somewhere else, and 2) a dangerous threat to their horse(s). The term 'exotic' was associated with being foreign, non-native, and out-of-place in the UK. Attitudes towards exotic disease risk were summarised into four categories: 1) responsible horse owners prevent disease, 2) horse owners need support to stop disease spread, 3) risk depends on proximity to the 'risky' horse, and 4) some risk is inevitable. A 'responsible' owner was aware of health hazards and took actions to protect their horse from disease. Reliance on others, including stakeholders, to uphold disease prevention in the community led to feeling vulnerable to disease threats. When evaluating risk, horse owners considered which horses were the 'riskiest' to their horse's health (horses that travelled, participated in competitions, or were simply unfamiliar) and avoided situations where they could interact. Despite undertaking disease prevention measures, the perceived uncontrollable nature of exotic diseases led some owners to feel an incursion was inevitable. Conclusions: Without accounting for horse owners' perceptions of, and attitudes towards, exotic diseases, recommendations to increase preparedness may be ineffective. Improved communication among stakeholders in the industry may assist in clarifying expectations for exotic disease-specific prevention measures. A collaborative approach among horse owners and stakeholders is recommended to improve disease preparedness within the industry.
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Publication Date: 2019-10-12 PubMed ID: 31606050PubMed Central: PMC6790027DOI: 10.1186/s12917-019-2120-5Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research examines the perceptions and attitudes of horse owners in the UK towards exotic diseases. It explores how these attitudes affect decisions to implement disease readiness strategies. The study focuses specifically on how horse owners perceive the concept of ‘exotic disease’ and their attitudes towards the risks of their horses contracting such diseases.

Study Methodology and Objectives

  • The study adopted a qualitative content analysis approach. This method involves examining text-based data to identify recurrent themes or patterns.
  • Data was collected through open-ended survey questions targeted at horse owners. This allowed the researchers to gain in-depth insight into the perceptions and attitudes of the horse owners without restricting their responses.
  • The study aimed to clearly define how horse owners perceive ‘exotic disease’ and their attitudes towards the associated risks.

Key Findings

  • A total of 423 horse owners participated in the survey. They associated exotic diseases with foreign, non-native diseases that are out of place in the UK and pose significant threats to their horses.
  • Horse owners’ attitudes towards exotic disease risk fell into four categories: the belief that responsible horse ownership involves disease prevention, the need for support in preventing disease spread, the perception that risk is associated with proximity to a ‘risky’ horse, and the belief that some degree of risk is always present, irrespective of preventive measures.
  • ‘Risky’ horses were deemed as those that traveled, participated in competitions, or were simply unfamiliar, leading to avoidance of such horses as a risk management strategy.
  • Despite disease preventive actions, some horse owners felt that due to the uncontrollable nature of exotic diseases, their horses were inevitably at risk.

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • The study concluded that without adequately addressing horse owners’ perceptions and attitudes, any recommendations for improving disease preparedness might be unproductive.
  • Effective communication among all stakeholders could help clearly define expectations concerning disease-specific preventive measures.
  • The research recommends a collaborative approach, involving both horse owners and stakeholders, to improve the effectiveness of disease preparedness within the horse industry.

Cite This Article

APA
Spence KL, Cardwell JM, Slater J, Rosanowski SM. (2019). Preliminary insight into horse owners’ perceptions of, and attitudes towards, exotic diseases in the United Kingdom. BMC Vet Res, 15(1), 338. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-019-2120-5

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 1
Pages: 338
PII: 338

Researcher Affiliations

Spence, Kelsey L
  • Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, UK. kspence@rvc.ac.uk.
Cardwell, Jacqueline M
  • Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, UK.
Slater, Josh
  • Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.
  • Present Address: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
Rosanowski, Sarah M
  • Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, UK.
  • Centre for Applied One Health Research and Policy Advice, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

MeSH Terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Communicable Diseases / veterinary
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Horse Diseases / prevention & control
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United Kingdom

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Rosanowski SM, Magouras I, Ho WC, Yiu WCJ, Pfeiffer DU, Zeeh F. The challenges of pig farming in Hong Kong: a study of farmers' perceptions and attitudes towards a pig health and production management service.. BMC Vet Res 2023 Feb 1;19(1):30.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-023-03591-7pubmed: 36726131google scholar: lookup
  2. Ward AB, Stephen K, Argo CM, Harris PA, Watson CA, Neacsu M, Russell W, Grove-White DH, Morrison PK. COVID-19 impacts equine welfare: Policy implications for laminitis and obesity.. PLoS One 2021;16(5):e0252340.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252340pubmed: 34048478google scholar: lookup
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