Species : Horses

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, Behavioural 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:Working animals, Animal mediation, Livestock buildings, Human-animal relationships, Welfare indicators, Working animals, Living environment, Stress, Behavioural 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:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Animal-based measurements, Working animals, Welfare indicators, Housing, Animal mediation, Human-animal relationships, Behavioural disorders

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Anatomical and functional basis of facial expressions and their relationship with emotions in horses

Barbara Zimmermann, Alejandra Nelly Cristina Castro, Pamela Anahí Lendez, Mariano Carrica Illia, María Paula Carrica Illia, Alfredo Raúl Teyseyre, Juan Manuel Toloza, Marcelo Daniel Ghezzi, Daniel Mota-Rojas

Published in 2024

Scientific review exploring the influence of environmental stimuli on measurable behaviors in horses, focusing on facial expressions as indicators of emotion. It highlights the importance of understanding these expressions when assessing emotional states and welfare in horses, drawing on studies conducted in other mammals.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Brain integration, Fear, Human-animal relationships

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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 measurements, Animalhousing, Animal mediation, Livestock buildings, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Human-animal relationships, Socialization, Stress, Behavioural 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

Keywords: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 measurements, Working animals, Pain, Animal mediation, Human-animal relationships, Behavioural disorders

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Horses can learn to identify joy and sadness against other basic emotions from human facial expressions

Plotine Jardat, Zoé Menard-Peroy, Céline Parias, Fabrice Reigner, Ludovic Calandreau, Léa Lansade

Published in 2024

Scientific paper showing that horses are able to distinguish the facial expressions of joy or sadness humans. This discovery adds to our understanding of the cognitive processing of human facial expressions by horses.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords: Cognitive processes, Consciousness, Memory, Human-animal relationships,Learning, training

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A field approach to observing changes in behavioural welfare indicators over 2 years in stabled horses

A. Ruet, J. Lemarchand, C. Briant, C. Arnould, L. Lansade

Published in 2024

Article describing behavioral variations in stabled horses at 2-year intervals. Among the welfare indicators observed at the individual level, aggressive behaviour towards humans increased, while resting postures decreased. Other observed behaviours (stereotypies, withdrawal, alert and observation postures) did not change significantly over time.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Aggression, Aggressiveness, Animal-based measurements, Welfare indicators, Housing, Personality, Human-animal relationships, Behavioural disorders

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Analysis of current methods and Welfare concerns in the transport of 118 horses by commercial air cargo companies

Felici M., Cogger N., Nanni Costa L., Riley C.B., Padalino B.

Published in 2024

Prospective study documenting the evolution of horse behavior, health and welfare during air transport. Due to its complexity, this type of transport requires the presence of experienced handlers to provide attentive care to each horse before, during and after air travel, in order to minimize welfare risks.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Animal-based measurements, Anxiety, Welfare indicators, Fear, Resilience, Stress, Transport, Behavioural disorders, Vocalisation

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