2022 Equine community needs assessment survey.
Authors: Herbst Alisa C, Hartmann Kyle S, Orban Brown Diana, Malinowski Karyn
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: 2022 Equine Community Needs Assessment Survey The Rutgers Equine Science Center surveyed 493 equine professionals and horse owners to map current demographics, preferred information sources, and pressing industry concerns, with respondents predominantly female (92.7%), aged 36–60 years, and horse owners (87.8%). Personal experience topped the information hierarchy at 95.7%, followed closely by veterinarians (93.7%) and farriers (83.7%)—a finding that underscores the continued centrality of practical, hands-on expertise and professional relationships in equine decision-making. Lameness and soundness emerged as the paramount concern (76.5% rating it extremely important), ahead of ethical use of horses (73.2%), nutrition (63.9%), right to farm issues (56.8%), and geriatric care (55.6%), with respondents viewing evidence-based health information as the most valuable service extension programmes can deliver (79.3%). For farriers, vets, physiotherapists, and nutritionists, these findings validate that lameness prevention and management should remain central to professional development and client education, whilst simultaneously signalling demand for accessible, credible resources on equine nutrition, ethics, and end-of-life care that complement rather than replace direct professional consultation.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Farriers and veterinarians are trusted primary information sources for horse owners—positioning yourself as a reliable knowledge partner in these networks enhances credibility and client relationships
- •Lameness and soundness issues dominate owner concerns; ensuring your practice addresses these topics comprehensively and offers clear, accessible guidance will meet market demand
- •The equine community values practical health information; developing and sharing evidence-based educational content on common health issues will differentiate your services and build client loyalty
Key Findings
- •92.7% of survey respondents were female horse owners aged 36-60 years (48.4%), predominantly white (88.8%)
- •Personal knowledge (95.7%), veterinarians (93.7%), and farriers (83.7%) are the top three information sources for equine-related topics
- •Horse health information provision is perceived as the most useful service (79.3%) that extension programs can offer
- •Lameness and Soundness (76.5%), Ethical Use of Horses (73.2%), and Nutrition (63.9%) are the most important equine-related issues to the community