Survey Results on Effect of COVID-19 on Horse Industry

Flair, LLC teamed up with Dr. David Marlin and Science Supplements USA to launch a survey for those located in the US and Canada to better understand the effects of COVID-19 on horse owners, riders, trainers, grooms, stable managers, and other equestrian professionals. Over 4,000 participants completed the recent survey to evaluate the impact that COVID-19 is having on horse owners, riders, trainers, grooms, stable manager, and other equestrians. While there is no evidence that COVID 19 is a problem for horses, over 40% of respondents reported they have had to change their horse’s management because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some findings from the survey include:

• Over half of respondents reported their interactions with their horse has changed. For those that had to make changes, 58% said the changes were not their own choice.
• 60% of respondents did not have to reduce the number of times per day they visited their horse(s).
• Regarding the ability to ride their horse, 35% of respondents reported they could still ride as normal. 28% reduced their riding – either due to restraints place upon them by others or due to their own choice, and almost 30% reported not being able to continue riding their horse – either due to restraints placed upon them or by others. For 6% of respondents, their horse is not ridden or was not being ridden.
• A large majority, over 86%, reported they have not been advised nor have they seen advice suggesting they alter their horse’s management to full time turn out (in order to limit the need to travel/visit the barn for feeding/handling/cleaning stalls).
• A large majority, nearly 88%, reported their horse is not likely to have to undergo prolonged stall confinement as a result of COVID-19.
• In light of the changes to routine needed to reduce the spread of COVID-19, 9% were concerned for the health of their horse, almost 27% were slightly concerned, and almost 64% were not concerned for the health of their horse.
• Of the 2,221 respondents that keep their horse at a barn (not privately), nearly 84% reported their barn has implemented measures to allow for social distancing and most felt the measures are satisfactory.
• Approximately 40% are concerned that the ongoing situation may make it difficult to provide for their horses’ needs (e.g. board costs, feed, forage, farrier bills, vet bills).

The 5-minute survey closed midnight CST Saturday, April 4, 2020. The research team is comprised of Dr David Marlin PhD, Cambridge, UK; Louisa Taylor BVM BVS (Hons) BVMedSci (Hons) MRCVS; Dr Jane Williams PhD, Hartpury University, UK; Dr Shannon Pratt-Phillips PhD, North Carolina State University; and Jenna Kutzner-Mulligan MS, Science Supplements USA. This North America survey was supported by a joint partnership between Science Supplements USA and Flair, LLC. A similar survey was conducted for those located the UK and for those located in Australia.

About Dr. David Marlin: As a PhD physiologist and biochemist with over 25 years of experience in academia, equine industry and consulting, Dr. Marlin has authored more than 200 published peer reviewed papers. He has several notable achievements, including working with the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), International Olympic Committee (IOC) and as a consultant to the British Equestrian Teams since 1994. Visit https://davidmarlin.co.uk/ for more information.

About Science Supplements USA: The first Science Supplements products were the brainchild of Dr. David Marlin. Committed to supplying the finest quality horse supplements, Science Supplements have key ingredients that have been proven to benefit performance, health and well-being in laboratory, clinical and field trials. Products launched in the UK and other parts of the world in 2014 and are now available in the US and Canada. For more information, contact JM@ScienceSupplements.com.

 About Flair, LLC: Flair LLC, maker of FLAIR® Equine Nasal Strips, is dedicated to evidence-based products for health, welfare, and performance of horses; it’s about the horse. Developed by veterinarians, FLAIR Strips are drug-free, self-adhesive nasal strips that support horses’ nasal passages and promote optimum respiratory health of equine athletes at every level of competition. FLAIR Strips are clinically proven to make breathing easier, reduce fatigue, conserve energy, quicken recovery, and reduce lung bleeding. More than eight clinical studies have been conducted on FLAIR Strips at leading equine research centers. For more information about FLAIR Strips, please visit http://www.flairstrips.com.