REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY:

Information is scarce as to how horses are kept and managed in the general horse population of Great Britain.

OBJECTIVES:

To characterise the demographics of horses in Great Britain and assess their care (with particular reference to the respiratory system).

METHODS:

Horse owners were surveyed using a self-administered postal questionnaire. These owners were selected randomly, following geographical stratification, using 2-stage cluster sampling of veterinary practices and their clients.

RESULTS:

The overall response proportion to the survey was 68.2%. An investigation of nonresponse bias detected minimal differences between responders and nonresponders. A summary of the demographic characteristics, feeding and management of horses in a sample of the general population of Great Britain is presented.

CONCLUSIONS AND POTENTIAL RELEVANCE:

Horses are kept under a great variety of conditions with some potentially exposed to high concentrations of organic dusts associated with stabling. This information is relevant to their health and welfare.