Preliminary insight into horse owners' perceptions of, and attitudes towards, exotic diseases in the United Kingdom.
Authors: Spence Kelsey L, Cardwell Jacqueline M, Slater Josh, Rosanowski Sarah M
Journal: BMC veterinary research
Summary
# Editorial Summary Understanding how horse owners conceptualise exotic disease risk is crucial for developing effective biosecurity messaging and preparedness strategies across the UK equine sector. Researchers analysed qualitative responses from a survey of UK horse owners, using open-ended questions to explore their understanding of what constitutes an "exotic disease" and their perceived personal risk of exposure. The findings revealed considerable variation in how owners defined exotic diseases—ranging from narrow interpretations (non-endemic pathogens only) to broader understandings that encompassed any unfamiliar or serious equine condition—alongside a general perception that risk was geographically distant and thus unlikely to affect their own operations. These inconsistencies in risk perception suggest that generic disease awareness campaigns may fail to resonate with horse owners' existing knowledge frameworks, pointing towards the need for tailored communication strategies that acknowledge and address the specific cognitive models different owner groups use to evaluate biosecurity priorities. For veterinarians, farriers, and other equine professionals advising on disease prevention, recognising this heterogeneity in owner understanding can help shape more persuasive, contextualised conversations about preparedness and the relevance of exotic disease protocols to individual yard management.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Horse owners need clearer, standardized communication about what exotic diseases are and their actual risks to UK operations, as current understanding is inconsistent
- •Educational campaigns on exotic disease preparedness should address the disconnect between perceived risk and actual protective behaviour adoption
- •Veterinarians should assess individual owner knowledge and tailor biosecurity advice accordingly, rather than assuming a baseline understanding
Key Findings
- •Horse owners have varying and sometimes inconsistent perceptions of what constitutes an exotic disease
- •Risk perception of exotic disease incursion varies significantly among UK horse owners
- •Horse owners' attitudes towards exotic diseases influence their adoption of disease preparedness strategies
- •Qualitative analysis revealed gaps between owners' understanding of exotic disease threats and recommended biosecurity measures