Of U.K. respondents, 66% said they were still riding, 45% of which had constraints (e.g., when and where they could ride) imposed upon them. Many had adjusted their riding activities, such as not jumping or not working with young horses. | Photo: iStock

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the well-being and livelihood of people of all walks of life. To determine its effect on horse owners and horse welfare specifically, a group of British, Australian, and U.S. researchers conducted a survey of more than 11,000 owners from late March to early April. Lead researcher and independent scientific consultant David Marlin, PhD, presented their findings at the International Society for Equitation Science’s virtual meeting in August.

The research team, which included Jane Williams, PhD, of Hartpury University; Hayley Randle, PhD, of Charles Sturt University; Shannon Pratt-Phillips, PhD, of North Carolina State University; and Jenna Kutzner-Mulligan, of Science Supplements, distributed the 17-question survey to North American, British, and Australian horse owners via social media. It included sections on owner demographics, horse management, equine facility management, owner interactions with their horses, and financial implications of the pandemic