Discussion

Introduction: Recent outbreaks of diseases such as Equine Infectious Anaemia and the threat of African Horse Sickness, mandate the need for data to improve horse disease preparedness within GB. This depends on knowledge of the risk of disease introduction, persistence and spread. Aims: To obtain data on horse imports and the geographical distribution and patterns of movements of leisure horses within mainland GB (which are not routinely recorded). Methods: Data were obtained from horse owners via an online questionnaire. After exclusions, 4417 respondents were included in the study. All data obtained were anonymous and summarised at the resolution of postcode area and geographical region within GB. Results: On average, respondents owned 4 horses (range 1 - 150, median 2). Compared to other regions, owners in London and SE England were more likely to keep horses in livery yards within 10 miles of their own premises whereas owners in Wales and Scotland were more likely to keep horses on their own premises. Imports of foreign horses were highest in the South and East of England. Wales and the South of England reported approximately twice as much international travel as other regions. There were also regional differences in the maximum number of road hours travelled for local and national events. Horse owners were more likely to travel for competition than for leisure activities such as hacking and spent, on average, a maximum of 4 nights/year away from the home premises. Conclusions and practical significance: These data provide valuable insights into previously unknown attributes of the leisure horse population of GB. These data will parameterise mathematical models that will be used to predict the impact of disease incursion into different regions of GB. Acknowledgements: Defra for funding and the Institute for Animal Health collaborators.