The Human Aspect of Horse Care: How the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted the Wellbeing of Equestrian Industry Stakeholders.
Authors: Ward Ashley, Stephen Kate, Argo Caroline, Watson Christine, Harris Patricia, Neacsu Madalina, Russell Wendy, Grove-White Dai, Morrison Philippa
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary During the initial COVID-19 lockdowns, equestrian professionals and horse owners confronted unprecedented challenges balancing equine welfare responsibilities against government restrictions, creating significant operational and psychological strain across the sector. Qualitative interviews with 26 stakeholders—including horse owners, equine veterinarians, farriers, and welfare centre managers—explored how these constraints affected their mental health and professional practice. The research revealed notably negative impacts on veterinarians and horse owners, particularly through disrupted communication channels and reduced opportunities for in-person consultations and training, though horse owners who engaged in community-based problem-solving activities reported improved wellbeing through maintained social connection despite physical isolation. These findings underscore the vulnerability of equestrian professionals' mental health during lockdown scenarios and identify gaps in support systems that may require intervention during future national emergencies. The work serves as a reminder that sustainable equine care depends not only on protocols and guidelines, but on proactively addressing the psychological wellbeing of the people responsible for horses—a consideration increasingly relevant as practitioners plan for future crises and establish resilience strategies within their services.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •During national emergencies, establish alternative communication protocols and remote consultation systems early to maintain veterinarian-client relationships and reduce stress
- •Recognize that equestrian communities have inherent pro-social structures that can buffer against isolation; support these networks as part of emergency response planning
- •Develop mental health support resources specifically for equestrian professionals (vets, farriers, owners) before crises occur, as their wellbeing directly impacts horse welfare outcomes
Key Findings
- •Mental health and wellbeing of veterinarians and horse owners were negatively affected by pandemic-related communication obstacles and limitations to horse-owner interactions
- •Pro-social activities engaged in by horse owners helped mitigate social isolation, community separation, and loneliness during lockdown
- •Study identified areas requiring future mental health and wellbeing interventions for equestrian stakeholders during national emergencies