Using web-based surveys to explore equine industry practices and future research needs

Abstract Social media is an ever-present part of daily life and for researchers, may be a useful platform to increase potential participant pools for web-based surveys. Though survey usage to evaluate practices in the equine community are not new, the use of social media to advertise and enhance usage of web-based surveys is novel. In 2018, the University of Minnesota (UMN) equine Extension program developed and administered two web-based surveys through the UMN equine Extension Facebook page and monthly e-newsletter. Surveys focused on industry practices and motivating factors behind usage of hays nets and methods to provide water in the winter to horses. Two thousand eighty eight participants started the hay net survey with a completion rate of 96%, while the winter water survey had a completion rate of 94% with 930 participants starting the survey. Participant demographics aligned with previous survey populations and represented all regions of the U.S. Both surveys revealed information, which described current industry practices as well as future research needs. In addition, participants were asked if scientific research would impact future decision making in regards to equine management. When exploring hay net practices, the majority of participants responded “maybe” (48%, n=527), whereas for the winter water survey, the majority responded “yes” (68%, n=877). Web-based surveys administered through social media present multiple benefits including savings of both cost and labor compared to traditional mailed surveys. Despite the success observed with the present surveys, this methodology may not be suitable for organizations with limited social media followers.