Keywords: Working animals

Horses are worthy of care: Horse sector participants' attitudes towards animal sentience, welfare, and well-being

Julie M Fiedler, Margaret L Ayre, Sarah Rosanowski, Josh D Slater

Published in 2025

Analysis of surveys carried out among professionals in the equestrian sector, revealing widespread recognition of equine sentience (99.9% of respondents). Two themes emerge: sentience is a pathway to understanding the mental state, welfare and well-being of horses, and humans have a moral obligation to consider it.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords: Animal mediation, Consciousness, Education, Human-animal relationships, Welfare indicators,Working animals

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Impact of musical rhythm on blood, physiological and welfare parameters in stabled horses

Fernanda Yumi Ueno de Oliveira, Agnês Markiy Odakura, Maria Fernanda de Castro Burbarelli, Caio César dos Ouros, Ibiara Correia de Lima Almeida Paz, Jaqueline Murbach Braz, Rodrigo Garófallo Garcia & Fabiana Ribeiro Caldara

Published in 2024

Study evaluating the effect of two styles of classical music (slow and moderate tempo) on the welfare of horses during social isolation. Both music styles increased serotonin levels, but the moderate tempo music also influenced certain blood indicators, such as calcium and hemoglobin levels. These results show that music can contribute to the welfare of horses in the stable.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords: Animal-based measurement,Animal Adaptation of the environment to the animal , Enrichment, Housing, Animal mediation, Working animals, Stress, Welfare indicators,  Working animals

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Évaluation du bien-être des chevaux sur le terrain : protocoles disponibles, conditions et limites d’utilisation

BRIANT, C., RIOU, M., & RUET, A.

Published in 2024

Article on the three main equine welfare assessment protocols - SEBWAT, AWIN Horse and Cheval Bien-être (most recent and in French). The last includes equine welfare indicators of negative mental states, but could be further improved by including indicators of positive mental states.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Animal-based measurement, Working animals, Welfare indicators, Animal mediation

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Review: Confinement, restriction of social contacts and movement in domestic horses

Léa Lansade, Elke Hartmann, Michela Minero, Alice Ruet

Published in 2024

Summary of the social and locomotive needs of horses. Their welfare is affected by inadequate housing conditions, such as isolation in individual stalls. It is recommended that horses be housed in stable groups in enriched environments and that they should have regular social contact, even when housed singly.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal , Anxiety, Enrichment, Animal mediation, Housing, Socialization, Stress, Behavioral disorders, Working animals, Welfare indicators

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Welfare and stress of horses used for Equine-assisted services: A systematic review

Bethany H. Baxley, Howard Rodriguez-Mori, Nichole C. Anderson

Published in 2024

Systematic review summarizing the existing literature on the stress and welfare of horses involved in equine assistance services (EAS). According to the 28 articles identified, behavioral and health problems are those most frequently encountered in EAS centers, leading to a high turn-over of horses. The study reveals gaps in existing research and urges that more high-quality research should be carried out.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Animal mediation, Animal housing, Animal welfare indicator, Human-animal relationship,Working animals, Living environment, Stress, Behavioral disorders

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Welfare assessment of stabled horses in five equestrian disciplines

V. Jovanović, M. Vučinić, E. Voslarova, K. Nenadović

Published in 2024

Scientific study identifying several welfare problems in five categories of stabled horses (western riding horses, riding school horses, leisure horses, show jumping horses and endurance horses). Leisure horses received less exercise, and a lack of social contact was observed in 28% of horses in this category.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Animal adaptation to environment, Animal-based measurement, Working animals, Welfare indicator, Housing, Animal mediation, Human-animal relationship, Behavioral disorders

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Neigh-bours: Why every young horse needs good friends. A pilot study during the breaking-in period

Anna Flamand, Cheyenne Zellenka, Juliette Mos, Audrey Starczan, Aurélien Polak, Odile Petit

Published in 2024

Study showing that young horses benefiting from daily social interaction during breaking-in show less abnormal behavior and stress than those isolated in individual stalls. The routine integration of social contact improves the welfare and relaxation of horses during training, suggesting that this feature could be beneficial in equestrian centers.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Animal-based measurement, Animalhousing, Animal mediation, Animal buildings, Enrichment, Animal welfare indicators, Human-animal relationship, Socialization, Stress, Behavioral disorders, Working animals.

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Horse welfare in semi-extensive system: establishing a welfare protocol and comparing pasture and stable farming systems

Raspa, F, Valle, E, Ozella, L, Bergero, D, Tarantola, M, Necci, A, Bertocchi, L, D'Avino, N, Paniccià, M, De Palo, P, Nannoni, E, Martelli, G, Forte, C

Published in 2024

Study developing a welfare protocol for horses raised for meat in semi-extensive systems, applicable to both pasture and stable housing. Based on an assessment cohort of 429 horses, differences were observed between the pasture and stable systems, mainly related to staff training and the feeding of the horses. This protocol could fill current gaps in equine welfare assessment and help to support veterinary controls.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

Key words:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Working animals, Livestock buildings, Risk management, Welfare indicators, Housing, Animal mediation, livestock farming system

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Determination of Equine Behaviour in Subjectively Non-Lame Ridden Sports Horses and Comparison with Lame Sports Horses Evaluated at Competitions

Sue Dyson, Danica Pollard

Published in 2024

Scientific study using the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE), developed to assess musculoskeletal pain in competition horses. The study shows that horses participating in lower-level events show higher RHpE scores, manifesting more signs of pain, compared to those at higher levels. Recognizing these behaviors can improve horse welfare and rider safety.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Animal-based measurement, Working animals, Pain, Animal mediation, Human-animal relationship, Behavioral disorders

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-001241/2024: Adoption of legislation to make it possible to bring pets into the workplace

Matteo Gazzini (PPE). Answer: Mr Schmit on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2024

Question on whether the European Commission is considering legislation to facilitate the presence of pets in the workplace, given the scientific evidence of positive impacts on humans and their pets.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Canines, Felines

Keywords: Animal mediation, Human-animal relationship,Working animals, Societal issues

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