170 Revisiting perceived needs of Arizona horse owners to update and focus cooperative extension horse educational programming and resource development directions

Abstract

In 2021, a voluntary, anonymous online livestock/equine survey (originally distributed in 2015), was readministered using Qualtrics® software and disseminated to Arizona livestock/equine industry stakeholders through email listservs, social media, personal connections, and attendees of cooperative extension events. The goal was to compare the 2021 data from horse owners (118/237 overall responses) to the 2015 responses (280 horse owners/484 total respondents) to review, update and if necessary, change the focus of our educational programming to topics perceived to be of moderate to critical need by 2021 Arizona horse owners. Survey results from both years came from all 15 Arizona counties and grouped by number of horses owned (1–3, 4–6, 7–9, and ≥ 10). The 2 data sets were analyzed independently using Chi-Square contingency tests, with significance declared at (P < 0.05). In both 2015 and 2021, more respondents owning 1–3 horses used their horses for recreation only (P < 0.05), and more respondents owning ≥ 10 horses used them for business (P < 0.05). In 2015, preferences for methods of information delivery were significantly affected by the age of respondent, with ≥ 70 years choosing newsletters/emails and both 50–69 years and ≥ 70 years preferring hands-on field days (P < 0.05). Additionally, more 50–69year-old respondents wanted fact sheets (P < 0.05). In 2021, ≥ 70 year-old respondents were less receptive to virtual seminars (P < 0.05). Survey takers ranked each of 22 topics related to horse feeding, management, training, horse health, business planning, etc. by no, slight, moderate, or critical need. Highest ranking topics in both 2015 and 2021, (with > 60% of ratings ranging from moderate to critical need), included toxic plants, vaccination programs, training and behavior, hoof care, heat stress, utilizing AZ forage, and lameness. In 2015, more respondents owning ≥ 10 horses chose “no need” for horse training/management (P < 0.05) and heat stress (P < 0.05), but in 2021 the “no need” for heat stress education difference was no longer apparent. In 2015, owners with 1–3 horses did not perceive a critical need for heat stress education, but they did in 2021 (P < 0.05). Topics with the highest perceived need were similar in 2021 and 2015, allowing us to continue with our current programming areas and priorities, although we found the age of respondents affected their preferences for methods of information delivery, and we need to continue heat stress education for recreational horse stakeholders owning 1–3 horses.