title: Demographics and management practices of horses and ponies in Great Britain: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: The objectives of this study were to describe the demographic characteristics and management practices undertaken by owners of horses/ponies within GB and assess seasonal and geographical variations in management practices. A cross-sectional study was conducted, surveying a random sample of veterinary-registered owners in GB, using a self-administered postal questionnaire. A total of 797 useable responses were received. Only 4.0% of animals were stabled 24h/day, this proportion being greater in winter compared to other seasons (p<0.001). Shavings (45.7%) and straw (35.3%) were the most frequently used bedding. Ninety-two percent of animals had access to pasture (median 91 h/week). The majority of animals received forage (82.6%) and concentrate/supplementary feeding (86.1%). Retired/companion animals and ponies received supplementary feed less frequently and most animals were used for pleasure riding (60.6%). Seasonal and regional differences in management practices were identified, of relevance to practitioners and researchers in the investigation and management of disease conditions.
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Department, Centre for Preventive Medicine, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK. claire.wylie@uab.cat
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Wylie
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ireland
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: K L P
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Verheyen
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Newton
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D003625:Data Collection; D003710:Demography; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Demographics; Epidemiology; Equine; Management; Questionnaire