Table 1 A summary of quantitative data gathered at mixed equestrian events in Ireland. The nine events are listed in the order in which they were visited in the summer months of 2014
Event No | Event requirements | Entrance/On-site controls | Veterinary services | Number of donkeys and donkey exhibitors | Contact between horses and donkeys | Any health issues witnessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Register on-site for showjumping, pre-register for showing classes | no records checked at gate, passports not checked on-site | veterinarians on hand | 10, same owner runs derby | donkeys stabled separately and donkey derby in separate ring to horse/pony classes | no |
2 | Mainly pre-registration, only a few last minute on-site registrations | no records checked at gate, passports to be shown to ring judge | no veterinarians on premise | 6 donkeys, 2 families owned | horses walked freely next to donkeys | no |
3 | Both pre- & on-site registration. Passport & premises registration required to register | no records checked at gate | veterinarian on site, on call for issues | 18 donkeys, various owners | Show rings adjacent to each other for horses and donkeys | no |
4 | Both pre- & on-site registration. Passport & premises registration required to register horses, not required for donkeys | no records checked at gate | veterinarian on-site, another on call for issues | 5 donkeys - 2 different owners | donkeys kept in small pens next to mini horses | skin lesions, poor coats, over-weight, over-grown hooves, nasal discharge, scour |
5 | No registration requirements. | No records checked at the multiple entry points | none | 20 donkeys, owners not reliably in associated attendance | No controls on mixing of species | Donkeys in reasonable body condition but unkempt |
6 | Both pre- & on-site registration. No passport or premises registration required | no records checked at gate | no veterinarian on-site, but one on call | 3 donkeys - 2 owners | donkeys shown in separate ring | no |
7 | No registration requirements; all members of The Donkey Breed Society | no records checked at gate | none | 15 donkeys | no horses at event | no |
8 | All equines pre-registered. Passport required to register. Vaccination against equine influenza required. | All records checked at single entry/exit | Multiple veterinarians presence | 24 donkeys | Contact between species once on event premises | no |
9 | Both pre- & on-site registration. Passport & equine premises registration required to register | no records checked at gate | none | 2 donkeys | donkeys kept in same area as horses | no |