FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Response of UK Horse, Pony and Donkey Owners to the Early St...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2021; 11(5); 1215; doi: 10.3390/ani11051215

Response of UK Horse, Pony and Donkey Owners to the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Abstract: In the UK, March 2020 was a time of great uncertainty as COVID-19 became increasingly widespread. The government responded by making suggestions about how people could reduce the risk of spread on 16 March, moved swiftly into closing schools on the 18 March before announcing a mandatory lockdown on the 23rd March. This was a challenging time for UK equestrians who had to balance maintaining their equine's routine and daily care alongside the increasing biosecurity measures. A cross-sectional survey was distributed to UK equestrians via social media over two days (28 and 29 March 2020) to better understand the decisions made by UK horse, pony and donkey owners during this time. Data from 452 respondents were generated across all four countries comprising the UK, although there were no significant differences in owner response to the pandemic between locations. The changes respondents made differed between the 16th and the 18th of March 2020, with an early emphasis on improving yard biosecurity and opting to stop riding, as well as reducing the time spent at the yard. After the 18 March, respondents placed more emphasis on risk reduction by changing the activities they did with their horse, including riding, with common examples including avoiding "high risk" activities such as riding on busy roads, jumping, riding young or nervous horses. Few respondents reported having an emergency plan in place should they become ill or otherwise unable to care for their equine. The findings highlight areas that would significantly benefit from in-depth investigation in future research. Equestrian behaviour and mindset around risk-taking and risk perception have already been researched in relation to equestrian activities and sport but have received little attention in the context of wider health challenges. Understanding the uptake of emergency planning and preparation in the UK equestrian community also warrants consideration. Using this information effectively to promote forward planning is likely to be of great benefit in equestrian responses to future health or climate-related crises.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2021-04-23 PubMed ID: 33922408PubMed Central: PMC8145022DOI: 10.3390/ani11051215Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • 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.

This research article focuses on the responses of UK horse, pony, and donkey owners to the COVID-19 pandemic during its early stages in March 2020. It investigated how they balanced daily care routines for their equines with the increasing biosecurity measures put in place due to COVID-19.

Survey Methodology

  • A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the study. It was distributed to UK equestrians via social media over two days (28 and 29 March 2020) to obtain a broad yet informed perspective on how the equestrian community was responding to the pandemic.
  • The data gathered was from 452 respondents, conveniently sourced from all four countries encompassing the UK. This gave the research a comprehensive geographical perspective.

Findings and Analysis

  • The research found that there was no significant difference in the response of horse, pony, and donkey owners across the different locations in the UK. This indicates a general uniformity in practices and attitudes towards the pandemic in the equestrian community regardless of the region.
  • The measures implemented by equestrians changed between 16th and 18th March 2020 as the information available about the pandemic evolved. The initial response included improving yard biosecurity and reducing riding, as well as decreasing the time spent at the yard.
  • After 18th March, when the severity of the situation became clearer, owners started to limit the kind of activities they did with their horses to reduce risk further. These changes included activities such as not riding on busy roads, avoiding jumps, or not riding young or nervous horses that might require more intensive management.
  • A significant finding was that few respondents reported having an emergency plan should they become too ill to care for their equine, highlighting an area of potential vulnerability within the community.

Implications of the Study

  • The study represents an opportunity to shed light on areas that would significantly benefit from in-depth investigation in future research. Understanding equestrian behavior, risk management, and preparation around wider health challenges can help devise better coping strategies.
  • The study underscores the need to promote the importance of emergency planning in the equestrian community to ensure the appropriate care of equines particularly during health or climate-related crises.

Cite This Article

APA
Hockenhull J, Bell C, White J, Rogers S. (2021). Response of UK Horse, Pony and Donkey Owners to the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Animals (Basel), 11(5), 1215. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11051215

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 5
PII: 1215

Researcher Affiliations

Hockenhull, Jo
  • Human Behaviour Change for Animals (HBCA), Norfolk NR9 4DE, UK.
Bell, Catherine
  • Equine Behaviour and Welfare Association, Surrey GU8 6AX, UK.
White, Jo
  • Human Behaviour Change for Animals (HBCA), Norfolk NR9 4DE, UK.
Rogers, Suzanne
  • Human Behaviour Change for Animals (HBCA), Norfolk NR9 4DE, UK.
  • Equine Behaviour and Welfare Association, Surrey GU8 6AX, UK.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

This article includes 33 references
  1. Bowen J, García E, Darder P, Argüelles J, Fatjó J. The effects of the Spanish COVID-19 lockdown on people, their pets, and the human-animal bond.. J Vet Behav 2020 Nov-Dec;40:75-91.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2020.05.013pmc: PMC7292953pubmed: 32837452google scholar: lookup
  2. British Foreign Policy Group (BFPG) COVID-19 Timeline. [(accessed on 19 February 2021)]; Available online: https://bfpg.co.uk/2020/04/covid-19-timeline/
  3. Smith L, Jacob L, Yakkundi A, McDermott D, Armstrong NC, Barnett Y, López-Sánchez GF, Martin S, Butler L, Tully MA. Correlates of symptoms of anxiety and depression and mental wellbeing associated with COVID-19: a cross-sectional study of UK-based respondents.. Psychiatry Res 2020 Sep;291:113138.
    doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113138pmc: PMC7258801pubmed: 32562931google scholar: lookup
  4. Williams JM, Randle H, Marlin D. COVID-19: Impact on United Kingdom Horse Owners.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Oct 13;10(10).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10101862pmc: PMC7600939pubmed: 33066021google scholar: lookup
  5. Hoy-Gerlach J, Rauktis M, Newhill C. (Non-human) animal companionship: A crucial support for people during the COVID-19 pandemic.. Soc. Register 2020;4:109–120.
    doi: 10.14746/sr.2020.4.2.08google scholar: lookup
  6. Mair T.S., Mountford D.R., Radley R., Lockett E., Parkin T.D.. Mental wellbeing of equine veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and veterinary students during the COVID-19 pandemic.. Equine Vet. Educ. 2021;33:15–23.
    doi: 10.1111/eve.13399google scholar: lookup
  7. Xiong J, Lipsitz O, Nasri F, Lui LMW, Gill H, Phan L, Chen-Li D, Iacobucci M, Ho R, Majeed A, McIntyre RS. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in the general population: A systematic review.. J Affect Disord 2020 Dec 1;277:55-64.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.08.001pmc: PMC7413844pubmed: 32799105google scholar: lookup
  8. Applebaum JW, Tomlinson CA, Matijczak A, McDonald SE, Zsembik BA. The Concerns, Difficulties, and Stressors of Caring for Pets during COVID-19: Results from a Large Survey of U.S. Pet Owners.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Oct 15;10(10).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10101882pmc: PMC7602525pubmed: 33076475google scholar: lookup
  9. Ratschen E, Shoesmith E, Shahab L, Silva K, Kale D, Toner P, Reeve C, Mills DS. Human-animal relationships and interactions during the Covid-19 lockdown phase in the UK: Investigating links with mental health and loneliness.. PLoS One 2020;15(9):e0239397.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239397pmc: PMC7518616pubmed: 32976500google scholar: lookup
  10. Shoesmith E, Shahab L, Kale D, Mills DS, Reeve C, Toner P, Santos de Assis L, Ratschen E. The Influence of Human-Animal Interactions on Mental and Physical Health during the First COVID-19 Lockdown Phase in the U.K.: A Qualitative Exploration.. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021 Jan 22;18(3).
    doi: 10.3390/ijerph18030976pmc: PMC7908431pubmed: 33499354google scholar: lookup
  11. British Horse Society (BHS) Advice for Equestrians during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Outbreak. [(accessed on 19 February 2021)]; Available online: https://www.bhs.org.uk/advice-and-information/coronavirus-covid-19.
  12. British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) Press Release on Non-Traditional Companion Animals. [(accessed on 19 February 2021)]; Available online: https://portal.bsava.com/Resources/Veterinary-resources/Position-statements/Non-traditional-companion-animals.
  13. Merkies K, Copelin C, Crouchman E, St-Onge A. The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Riding Lesson Barns and Summer Camps in Ontario.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Dec 17;10(12).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10122412pmc: PMC7766263pubmed: 33348566google scholar: lookup
  14. Thompson K.R., Haigh L., Smith B.P.. Planned and ultimate actions of horse owners facing a bushfire threat: Implications for natural disaster preparedness and survivability.. Int. J. Disast. Risk Reduct. 2018;27:490–498.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ijdrr.2017.11.013google scholar: lookup
  15. British Psychological Society Code of Ethics and Conduct. [(accessed on 5 February 2021)]; Available online: https://www.bps.org.uk/news-and-policy/bps-code-ethics-and-conduct.
  16. Norman A.T., Russell C.A.. The Pass-Along Effect: Investigating Word-of-Mouth Effects on Online Survey Procedures.. J. Comput.-Mediat. Commun. 2006;11:1085–1103.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1083-6101.2006.00309.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  17. Marchant-Forde J.N., Boyle L.A.. COVID-19 Effects on Livestock Production: A One Welfare Issue.. Front. Vet. Sci. 2020;7:734.
  18. García Pinillos R. One welfare impacts of COVID-19 - A summary of key highlights within the one welfare framework.. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2021 Mar;236:105262.
    doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105262pmc: PMC7885704pubmed: 33612900google scholar: lookup
  19. Vincent A., Mamzer H., Ng Z., Farkas K.J.. People and their pets in the times of the COVID-19 pandemic.. Society Register 2020;4:111–128.
    doi: 10.14746/sr.2020.4.3.06google scholar: lookup
  20. Statement—Older People Are at Highest Risk from COVID-19, but All Must Act to Prevent Community Spread. [(accessed on 16 March 2021)]; Available online: https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-emergencies/coronavirus-covid-19/statements/statement-older-people-are-at-highest-risk-from-covid-19,-but-all-must-act-to-prevent-community-spread.
  21. Jones McVey R. An Ethnographic Account of the British Equestrian Virtue of Bravery, and Its Implications for Equine Welfare.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jan 14;11(1).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11010188pmc: PMC7830721pubmed: 33466901google scholar: lookup
  22. The COVID-19 Pandemic Is Changing the Way People Recreate Outdoors: Preliminary Report on a National Survey of Outdoor Enthusiasts amid the COVID-19 Pandemic. [(accessed on 16 March 2021)]; Available online: https://osf.io/preprints/socarxiv/prnz9/
  23. World Health Organisation (WHO) WHO Director-General’s Opening Remarks at the Media Briefing on COVID-19—11 March 2020. [(accessed on 19 February 2021)]; Available online: https://www.who.int/director-general/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19-11-March-2020.
  24. Chapman M, Thomas M, Thompson K. What People Really Think About Safety around Horses: The Relationship between Risk Perception, Values and Safety Behaviours.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Nov 26;10(12).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10122222pmc: PMC7761269pubmed: 33256171google scholar: lookup
  25. Pollard D, Grewar JD. Equestrian Road Safety in the United Kingdom: Factors Associated with Collisions and Horse Fatalities.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Dec 15;10(12).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10122403pmc: PMC7765430pubmed: 33334012google scholar: lookup
  26. Harris D, Ellis DY, Gorman D, Foo N, Haustead D. Impact of COVID-19 social restrictions on trauma presentations in South Australia.. Emerg Med Australas 2021 Feb;33(1):152-154.
    doi: 10.1111/1742-6723.13680pubmed: 33124718google scholar: lookup
  27. Hampton M, Clark M, Baxter I, Stevens R, Flatt E, Murray J, Wembridge K. The effects of a UK lockdown on orthopaedic trauma admissions and surgical cases: A multicentre comparative study.. Bone Jt Open 2020 May;1(5):137-143.
    doi: 10.1302/2633-1462.15.BJO-2020-0028.R1pmc: PMC7684391pubmed: 33241224google scholar: lookup
  28. Gregory A.. Communication dimensions of the UK foot and mouth disease crisis, 2001.. J. Public Aff. 2005;5:312–328.
    doi: 10.1002/pa.31google scholar: lookup
  29. British Horseracing Authority (BHA) Press Release: Foot and Mouth and the Movement of Horses. [(accessed on 19 February 2021)]; Available online: https://www.britishhorseracing.com/press_releases/foot-and-mouth-and-the-movement-of-horses/
  30. Galea S, Merchant RM, Lurie N. The Mental Health Consequences of COVID-19 and Physical Distancing: The Need for Prevention and Early Intervention.. JAMA Intern Med 2020 Jun 1;180(6):817-818.
    doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.1562pubmed: 32275292google scholar: lookup
  31. Smith AV, Proops L, Grounds K, Wathan J, McComb K. Functionally relevant responses to human facial expressions of emotion in the domestic horse (Equus caballus).. Biol Lett 2016 Feb;12(2):20150907.
    doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2015.0907pmc: PMC4780548pubmed: 26864784google scholar: lookup
  32. Trösch M, Cuzol F, Parias C, Calandreau L, Nowak R, Lansade L. Horses Categorize Human Emotions Cross-Modally Based on Facial Expression and Non-Verbal Vocalizations.. Animals (Basel) 2019 Oct 24;9(11).
    doi: 10.3390/ani9110862pmc: PMC6912773pubmed: 31653088google scholar: lookup
  33. Nellist J.. Potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on horse behaviour in the UK between March and October 2020.. UK-Vet Equine 2021;5:34–36.
    doi: 10.12968/ukve.2021.5.1.34google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Thompson JM, Kibler ML, Ivey JLZ. Financial strain of COVID-19 and its impact on willingness-to-pay for equine care.. J Anim Sci 2023 Jan 3;101.
    doi: 10.1093/jas/skad091pubmed: 36966356google scholar: lookup
  2. Domino M, Borowska M, Zdrojkowski Ł, Jasiński T, Sikorska U, Skibniewski M, Maśko M. Application of the Two-Dimensional Entropy Measures in the Infrared Thermography-Based Detection of Rider: Horse Bodyweight Ratio in Horseback Riding.. Sensors (Basel) 2022 Aug 13;22(16).
    doi: 10.3390/s22166052pubmed: 36015813google scholar: lookup
  3. Ward A, Stephen K, Argo C, Watson C, Harris P, Neacsu M, Russell W, Grove-White D, Morrison P. The Human Aspect of Horse Care: How the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted the Wellbeing of Equestrian Industry Stakeholders.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jul 22;11(8).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11082163pubmed: 34438622google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.