Species : Horses

Towards Machine Recognition of Facial Expressions of Pain in Horses

Pia Haubro Andersen, Sofia Broomé, Maheen Rashid, Johan Lundblad, Katrina Ask, Zhenghong Li, Elin Hernlund, Marie Rhodin, Hedvig Kjellström

Published in 2021

Scientific review describing two promising systems for the automatic recognition of facial expressions of pain in horses. The first is based on a manual classification system that involves machine learning. The second is based on recurrent neural network learning.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Pain, Precision farming, Welfare indicators, Human-animal relationships

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Effect of transportation and social isolation on facial expressions of healthy horses

Johan Lundblad, Maheen Rashid, Marie Rhodin, Pia Haubro Andersen

Published in 2021

Scientific paper describing the facial expressions of healthy, pain-free horses before and during transport and social isolation, both of which are potentially stressful management procedures. The following facial features were observed in both cases: increased eye white, dilated nostrils, elevated upper eyelid, elevated inner forehead, exposed tongue, increased ear movements and blinking frequency. Some of these stress markers are already used as indicators of pain.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Pain, Welfare indicators, Stress, Transport

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Automatic Pain Detection on Horse and Donkey Faces

Hilde I. Hummel, Francisca Pessanha, Albert Ali Salah, Thijs J. P.A.M. van Loon, Remco C. Veltkamp

Published in 2021

Summary of a presentation at a conference on the use of automatic facial recognition to develop an automatic pain prediction system for horses, based on grimace scales.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Anxiety, Precision farming, Welfare indicators, Human-animal relationships, Pain, Stress

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Behavioral Biology of Horses

Janne Winther Christensen

Published in 2021

Scientific overview chapter dealing with the behaviour of horses, covering human-horse relationships, especially during dressage and training, social behaviour, effects of environmental restrictions and cognitive abilities

Document Types: Scientific work

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Learning, training, Brain integration, Cognitive processes, Human-animal relationships

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A preliminary study of the effects of the number of consecutive days of training and days off on foal recall

Jaymie Loy, Leigh Wills, Sally King, Kirsty Jenkins, Sarah Ellis, Hayley Randle

Published in 2021

A scientific paper on experimental work to determine how the incorporation of rest days during initial preparation influences foal learning outcomes. The results support the inclusion of a rest day during the first four days of initial training programmes, to reduce the occurrence and development of undesirable behaviours such as biting.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Learning, training, Brain integration, Cognitive processes, Human-animal relationships

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Improving Equine Welfare through Human Habit Formation

Jo White, Ruth Sims

Published in 2021

Scientific article on tests carried out to evaluate the effectiveness for animal welfare of introducing the regular practice by equine owners of scratching a horse while carrying out routine care . The owners performed the action for 1 month and then took part in a semi-structured interview. The introduction of the habit had a positive impact on human behaviour towards the horses.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Learning, training, Societal issues, Human-animal relationships

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Guide to good welfare practice for equidae

Horse industry

Published in 2021

The first draft of the Guide de bonnes pratiques pour l’application des engagements de la charte pour le bien-être des équidés was submitted for evaluation to Anses, which issued its opinion in January 2021. This revised version 2.0, which incorporates Anses's recommendations, was validated by the Ministry of Agriculture on 15 July 2021.

Document Types: Good practice guide

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Consciousness, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Housing, Human-animal relationships, Stress, Pain

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Equine-Assisted Interventions (EAIs) for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): Behavioural and Physiological Indices of Stress in Domestic Horses (Equus caballus) during Riding Sessions

Laura Contalbrigo, Marta Borgi, Marta De Santis, Barbara Collacchi, Adele Tuozzi, Marica Toson, Veronica Redaelli, Rosangela Odore, Cristina Vercelli, Annalisa Stefani, Fabio Luzi, Emanuela Valle, Francesca Cirulli

Published in 2021

Scientific paper comparing behavioural and physiological signs of stress in horses participating in standardised equine assisted intervention (EAI) sessions with those of children with and without autism. The results show that EAI sessions are stressful for horses, regardless of the type of rider.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords: Human-animal relationships, Stress

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Recommendations for Ensuring Good Welfare of Horses Used for Industrial Blood, Serum, or Urine Production

Xavier Manteca Vilanova, Bonnie Beaver, Mette Uldahl, Patricia V. Turner

Published in 2021

Article summarising the current recommendations for the welfare of horses used by the pharmaceutical industry for the production of blood or urine derivatives.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Welfare indicators, Human-animal relationships

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COVID-19 impacts equine welfare: Policy implications for laminitis and obesity

Ashley B. Ward, Kate Stephen,Caroline McGregor Argo, Patricia A. Harris, Christine A. Watson, Madalina Neacsu, Wendy Russell, Dai H. Grove-White, Philippa K. Morrison

Published in 2021

Scientific paper highlighting the negative effects of Covid-19 lockdown  policies on the management and welfare of horses and ponies at risk of laminitis or obesity and recommending the development of specific guidelines for future lockdowns.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Housing, Welfare indicators

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