-
Conflict Behavior in Show Jumping Horses: A Field Study
| Contributor(s):: Ewa Jastrzębska, Anna Wolska, Michela Minero, Magdalena Ogłuszka, Bernadette Earley, Janusz Wejer, Aleksandra Górecka-Bruzda
The study objective was to determine if there was a relationship between behavioral and physiological stress measures in sport horses and their performance. Nineteen horses competed in show jumping events (6 housed at the center and 13 transported), while 5 horses at home training served as...
-
On-Farm Welfare Assessment of Horses: The Risks of Putting the Cart before the Horse
| Contributor(s):: Martine Hausberger, Noémie Lerch, Estelle Guilbaud, Mathilde Stomp, Marine Grandgeorge, Séverine Henry, Clémence Lesimple
Although the question of animal welfare has been an important source of concern in the scientific community for several decades, many aspects are still under debate. On-farm assessments have to be rapid, acceptable to farmers and safe for both the assessors and animals. They are thus very...
-
Welfare Assessment and Husbandry Practices of Working Horses in Fiji
| Contributor(s):: Navina Fröhlich, Patrick D. Sells, Rebecca Sommerville, Charlotte F. Bolwell, Charlotte Cantley, Jessica E. Martin, Stuart J. G. Gordon, Tamsin Coombs
Research shows that working equids in low and middle-income countries play an essential role in supporting the livelihoods of their owners. The objective of the study was to provide the first description of the welfare status of working horses in Fiji by analysing animal-based parameters...
-
A simple collar can make all the difference: a practical solution to a potentially serious equine welfare problem
| Contributor(s):: Randle, H., Dennis, A.
-
Bit use and its relevance for rider safety, rider satisfaction and horse welfare in equestrian sport
| Contributor(s):: Luke, Karen L., McAdie, Tina, Warren-Smith, Amanda K., Smith, Bradley P.
-
Reported Behavioural Differences between Geldings and Mares Challenge Sex-Driven Stereotypes in Ridden Equine Behaviour
| Contributor(s):: Anna Aune, Kate Fenner, Bethany Wilson, Elissa Cameron, Andrew McLean, Paul McGreevy
Horse trainers and riders may have preconceived ideas of horse temperament based solely on the sex of the horse. A study (n = 1233) of horse enthusiasts (75% of whom had more than 8 years of riding experience) revealed that riders prefer geldings over mares and stallions. While these data may...
-
Is a mounted award ceremony in equestrian sport relevant to animal welfare?
| Contributor(s):: Gehlen, H., Thöne-Reineke, C., Merle, R., Pichon, S., Linnenbrügger, H.
-
Changes in Management, Welfare, Emotional State, and Human-Related Docility in Stallions
| Contributor(s):: Popescu, Silvana, Lazar, Eva Andrea, Borda, Cristin, Blaga Petrean, Anamaria, Mitrănescu, Elena
Despite an increase in awareness of their essential needs, many stallions continue to be kept in conditions limiting their social interactions and movement. To supplement the studies which highlight the effects of these practices on selected aspects of equine mental and physical wellbeing, we...
-
In-Person Caretaker Visits Disrupt Ongoing Discomfort Behavior in Hospitalized Equine Orthopedic Surgical Patients
| Contributor(s):: Catherine Torcivia, Sue McDonnell
Horses have evolved to show little indication of discomfort or disability when in the presence of potential predators, including humans. This natural characteristic complicates the recognition of pain in equine patients. It has been our clinical impression that, whenever a person is present,...
-
Horses Failed to Learn from Humans by Observation
| Contributor(s):: Maria Vilain Rørvang, Tina Bach Nielsen, Janne Winther Christensen
Animals can acquire new behavior through both individual and social learning. Several studies have investigated horses’ ability to utilize inter-species (human demonstrator) social learning with conflicting results. In this study, we repeat a previous study, which found that horses had...
-
Domestic Foal Weaning: Need for Re-Thinking Breeding Practices?
| Contributor(s):: Séverine Henry, Hrefna Sigurjónsdóttir, Aziliz Klapper, Julie Joubert, Gabrielle Montier, Martine Hausberger
Artificial weaning is a standard practice known to be one of the most stressful events in a domestic foal’s life. Research has mainly focused on ways to alleviate weaning stress. However, there is still a need for more detailed research on what should constitute best practices with...
-
Risk Factors of Anesthesia-Related Mortality and Morbidity in One Equine Hospital: A Retrospective Study on 1,161 Cases Undergoing Elective or Emergency Surgeries
| Contributor(s):: Chiara Laurenza, Lèa Ansart, Karine Portier
A retrospective analysis was performed to determine mortality and morbidity rates for elective and emergency cases in an equine university teaching hospital. It investigated the effect of horse-, anesthetic-, timing, and clinician experience-related variables on anesthetic complications. In...
-
Increased Rider Weight Did Not Induce Changes in Behavior and Physiological Parameters in Horses
| Contributor(s):: JanneWinther Christensen, Suzie Bathellier, Marie Rhodin, Rupert Palme, Mette Uldahl
Recent studies have reported significant alterations in horse physiological and gait parameters when exposed to increased rider weight during moderate to high intensity exercise. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of increased rider weight (+15% and +25% of the regular rider’s...
-
A Ten-Stage Protocol for Assessing the Welfare of Individual Non-Captive Wild Animals: Free-Roaming Horses (Equus Ferus Caballus) as an Example
| Contributor(s):: Andrea M. Harvey, Ngaio J. Beausoleil, Daniel Ramp, David J. Mellor
Knowledge of the welfare status of wild animals is vital for informing debates about the ways in which we interact with wild animals and their habitats. Currently, there is no published information about how to scientifically assess the welfare of free-roaming wild animals during their normal...
-
Effects of Transport Conditions on Behavioural and Physiological Responses of Horses
| Contributor(s):: Barbara Padalino, Sharanne L Raidal
The regulations for minimal space and direction of travel for land transport in horses vary worldwide and there is currently no definitive guidance to promote equine health and welfare. This study evaluated the effects of bay size and direction of travel (forwards/backwards) in horses by...
-
An observational evaluation of stress in horses during therapeutic riding sessions
| Contributor(s):: McDuffee, L., Carr, L., Montelpare, W.
Therapeutic riding (TR) provides benefits to participants with cognitive and physical disabilities. Horses participating in TR programs are typically selected because of their calm temperament and may not show obvious signs of stress. However, the welfare of horses in TR programs is an important...
-
A Review of Contemporary Contraceptives and Sterilization Techniques for Feral Horses
| Contributor(s):: Albert J. Kane
This commentary provides a brief review of the history of contraceptive research eff orts for feral horses (Equus ferus caballus) as well as the contraceptives and sterilization techniques currently available for feral horses. Porcine zona pellucida (PZP) immunocontraceptives have received the...
-
Occurrence of suspected zoophilia in veterinary clinical care in Marilia/SP in 2018-2019: veiled and neglected animal abuseOcorrencia de suspeitas de zoofilia no atendimento clinico medico-veterinario em Marilia/SP no periodo de 2018-2019: maus-trato
| Contributor(s):: Polegato, E. P. dos S., Teixeira, I. B., Angeli, M. V., Paie, J. P.
-
Survey on Equine Parasite Control in the Midwestern and Southwestern United States
| Contributor(s):: Gary W. Webb, Heidi Brady, Cassandra O'Hara, Sadie Sacra
We conducted a survey to assess parasite control programs used by three groups of horse owners. The majority of those surveyed indicated that they received information on parasite control from veterinarians, with only 6% indicating reliance on Extension materials for such information. Most...
-
Improving the Recognition of Equine Affective States
| Contributor(s):: Catherine Bell, Suzanne Rogers, Julie Taylor, Debbie Busby
A key welfare problem for horses is that people commonly fail to recognise, and consequently neglect to resolve, equine behavioural signs of distress, worsening the welfare of the horse and potentially putting the safety of the handler at risk as a result. Members of equestrian Facebook groups...
