Background: Movement is a contributing factor to the risk of exposure to infectious disease. A primary reason for equine travel in Ontario, Canada is for equestrian competitions. The Canadian National Farm and Facility Level Biosecurity Standard for the Equine Sector provides guidance for equestrian facilities regarding strategies to reduce the risk of exposure to pathogens at competitions and upon return. To be further investigated are the perceptions of these recommendations by facility managers and their degree of implementation. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the biosecurity perspectives of equestrian facility managers to be able to identify challenges and opportunities regarding equestrian facility-level biosecurity. Study Design: This study used a qualitative approach to gather in-depth data on the experiences of equestrian facility managers Methods: Individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted in-person with 10 Ontario equestrian facility managers. A template analysis using deductive coding was used to determine themes. Results: The main themes identified were: (i) facility managers feel ultimately primarily responsible for biosecurity choices, but also feel that the overall responsibility should be shared; and (ii) facility managers understand biosecurity in theory but face challenges putting it into practice. Main Limitations: This study asked for voluntary participation, leading to the potential for self-selection bias with participants having a pre-existing interest in biosecurity. Participants residing in specific geographic radius of Toronto, Ontario could also lead to possible similarities between facilities. The small sample size also may result in nonresponse bias. These biases could lead to the sample population not being representative of the general population Conclusions: Results of this study indicate the need for additional focus on overcoming barriers to implementation and bridging the gap between stakeholder groups. This would allow for improvements in equine biosecurity at both home facilities and competitions, positively impacting overall equine health and welfare

Background: Biosecurity plays an important role in the prevention and control of infectious disease outbreaks in the equine population. With competition organizers responsible for upholding biosecurity requirements at competitions, it is important to understand the biosecurity landscape at these locations where Ontario horses commonly travel and interact in large group settings. Group settings are one of the risk factors for pathogen exposure. Objectives: The objective of this study was to develop an understanding of the perspectives, challenges and experiences of competition organizers of both sanctioned and unsanctioned events in Ontario, Canada regarding implementing equine biosecurity at competitions. Study Design: This study used a qualitative research approach in order to be able to best gather data regarding the lived experiences of competition organizers. Methods: Semi-structured, individual interviews were conducted virtually with 10 Ontario competition organizers in English disciplines (Eventing, Dressage, Hunter/Jumper). A reflexive thematic analysis using an inductive approach was used to analyze the interview data. Results: Interviews resulted in two major themes: (i) biosecurity at competitions is a balancing act among other important considerations and (ii) there is a disconnect between groups that play key roles in biosecurity at competitions. Main Limitations: The recruitment process also allowed for the possibility of introducing self-selection bias where some of the participants may have an existing interest in biosecurity, which may not be representative of all competition organizers. Individual interviews as well as the design of the interview guide also helped to mitigate the potential for social desirability bias. Conclusions: Biosecurity at equestrian competitions is a multifaceted issue that requires stakeholder input and buy-in to be successful. However, there is an overall willingness from competition organizers to work towards finding a path forward to improving biosecurity and maintaining equine health and welfare at competitions.