1. Table 3. Local Equine service availability ?
An Assessment of Pennsylvania Equine Owners and PA Equine Council Effectiveness Ann Swinker*1, Charles Van Auken2, G.W. Wills2, Daniel Kniffen1, Capri Stiles Mikesell 1; Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, US1, PA Equine Council, Harrisburg, PA, US 2 Equine Science Society Proceedings (abstract #69347)
Introduction and Objective
Survey Results Revealed:
What is the most difficult issue in owning horses ?
Respondents top four issues listed:
1. Trails (traffic, proximity, open land, availability)
2. Land use (zoning, regulations, neighbor conflicts, urban development)
3. Economics of horse ownership (high cost) 4. Professional services availability (vets, farriers, qualified trainers and instruction). Table 3.
Twenty breeds of equine were noted, the top
choices were Quarter Horse, Thoroughbred,
Paint, Warmblood, Walking Horse and Arabian.
Participants equine health interests were: Lameness 57%,
Nutrition 56% Diseases 55%.
Interests for property issues were: Keeping public land open to riding 72%, Liability 56%, Quality water sources 53% Pasture management 51%.
47.5% of equine owners reported to have a manure management plan, 13.6% reported having an Erosion/Sediment Plan.
Owners relied on veterinarians 83%, printed materials 63%, equine websites 68%, and on PEC 41% for equine information. The least trusted source was the internet.
When asked to rate PEC’s most effective programs, Table 2, the liability law, legislative involvement, trail issues, and insurance influenced their membership and rated very high.
75% of surveyed horse owners reported having equine related issues resolved by communication with the PEC board.
The Pennsylvania Horse Industry is diverse and broad-ranged, ranking 9 in the nation. In PA, 1.14 million acres of land is utilized for the 255,763 equine, creating 20,300 jobs and associated assets totaling $8.27 billion. With this large equine industry The Penn State University with the cooperation of Pennsylvania Equine Council (PEC) conducted a survey of horse owners. The purpose of the survey is to: Identify topics of interest and concerns of horse owners and equine professionals, determine where horse owners are obtaining educational materials, and look at methods the Pennsylvania Equine Council could implement to support horse owners. The survey will identify and evaluate equine programs that the Council is offering throughout the state.
Table 2. How would you rate the Pennsylvania Equine Council's programs and services?
Methods
Excellent
Good –
Neutral –
Fair –
Do not know –
Total –
–Trail Stewardship
38.14%
156
27.38%
112
7.58% 31
2.44% 10
24.45%
100
409
–Equine Learning Center Displays
26.60%
108
22.17% 90
15.76% 64
1.48% 6
33.99%
138
406
–Horse Welfare
25.98%
106
29.90%
122
12.75% 52
1.96% 8
29.41%
120
408
–Legislative Involvement
31.54%
129
30.56%
125
10.27% 42
2.69% 11
24.94%
102
–Insurance
31.13%
127
23.77% 97
12.50% 51
30.64%
–Retail Discounts
10.61%
16.67% 66
23.99% 95
4.04% 16
44.70%
177
396
–Liability Signs
53.01%
220
24.82%
103
8.92% 37
1.45%
11.81% 49
415
From 11/ 9/16 to 1/ 9/17, the Penn State University Extension with the cooperation of Pennsylvania Equine Council (PEC) conducted an on-line survey of horse owners. The questionnaire was deployed online to 2,824 equine contacts via using RESURCH.net. Of the s sent, 1198 recipients (42%) opened the . A total of 625 recipients clicked on the link to the survey, and 440 (36.7%) completed the survey.
Table 1. What is your equine interest?
Survey Participants Revealed:
81% are female, between ages of
Live in almost every county within PA.
Typically own 1 to 4 horses.
66.7% owned property, average size ac.
83% of owner’s equine experience lies between intermediate to advanced.
Diverse industry with many disciplines, 86% of respondents classifying themselves as recreational riders, Table 1.
Conclusion
When asked -- what they considered their main issue, the following answers were at the top: Trails/open land, urban development, economics, regulations, zoning, traffic, hunting/game lands, many of these issues are interrelated.
Overall, the survey findings provide a valuable tool to assess current and future programs and issues for both the PEC and Equine Extension programs.
Table 3. Local Equine service availability ?
Exceptional –
Adequate –
Lacking –
Not sure –
–Veterinarian
61.73%
271
30.52%
134
7.52% 33
0.23% 1
–Farrier
58.09%
255
36.45%
160
4.56% 20
1.37% 6
–Tack Shop
18.01% 78
37.64%
163
44.11%
191
–Feed Supplier/Store
35.78%
156
55.28%
241
9.63% 42
–Trainer/ Instructors
24.29%
103
40.57%
172
25.71%
109
9.43% 40
Table 1-A. Where do you trail ride?
-Rides on your farm or stable's property.
80.87%
–Trailer your horse to a public land (local/state parks, game lands)
69.25%
–Ride your horse to public land (local/state parks, game lands etc.)
33.49%
–Ride on adjoining properties
56.72%
Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences research and extension programs are funded in part by Pennsylvania counties, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.