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Topic:Horse Owners
The relationship between horse owners and horses encompasses various aspects of equine management, care, and interaction. This topic explores the dynamics between humans and horses, focusing on areas such as husbandry practices, welfare considerations, and the psychological and physical effects of human interaction on horses. It includes studies on training methods, behavioral assessments, and the impact of owner expertise on horse health and performance. Additionally, the topic examines the influence of human-animal bonds on horse behavior and well-being. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that investigate these interactions and their implications for equine management and welfare.
Management practices and human-horse relationships are associated with horse personality traits. The human-horse relationship has evolved through centuries of domestication, shaping how horses are managed and interact with people. Horses show interindividual behavioural differences that constitute personality, with implications for welfare, management and human-horse interactions. Although equine personality has a genetic component, environmental and relational factors may influence its expression, yet effects of everyday management practices remain poorly understood. This study examined associations between owner-rated horse personality traits and human-controlled environmental and relat...
Survey of rider and horse size proportions and associated rider perceptions. The influence of a rider's size on equine performance and welfare remains a topic of debate in the equestrian industry. Most previous research has examined the weight ratios of riders and horses in controlled experimental settings, and the existing perceptions of acceptable rider-horse unit proportions have not been investigated. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate horse and rider size and skill proportions among Finnish horses and riders. The study also investigated riders' perceptions of the acceptability of these size proportions. Methods: Riders over 18 years of age were in...
Relationship Between Feed Olfactory Exploration and Consumption in Horses. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between horses' behaviour during olfactory exploration and following consumption of the same food containing herbs, either previously exposed to the herb odour or not. Twenty horses' responses to 14 herbs were compared in a smelling test, when the horses sniffed a herb, and after 20 min a consumption test, when they consumed oats mixed with the same herb. Before the tests, the horses were exposed to the scent of seven herbs, whereas the remaining seven herbs were non-pre-exposed. The results show that horses consumed oats with herbal additi...
Transforming retraining: Supporting racehorses to have successful second careers. Optimizing long-term welfare outcomes for Thoroughbred racehorses following retirement from racing is a priority across the global horse racing industry. Following their racing career, horses are required to adapt to a markedly different lifestyle, involving substantial physical, behavioural, and mental adjustment. This study consulted experienced retrainers to identify factors that inform successful retraining and transition of former racehorses to promote positive lifelong outcomes beyond racing. An online survey of 100 global stakeholders experienced in retraining former racehorses explor...
Choice for the horse is paramount: Owners’ experiences in facilitating friends, forage, and freedom in their management practices. Owned horses rely on people for their behavioural needs, such as access to conspecifics, constant access to low nutrient density, fibrous forage and freedom of movement; otherwise known as friends, forage and freedom (3Fs). Restricting the 3Fs prevents horses from achieving optimal welfare. We carried out 14 semi-structured interviews in the UK and Ireland to examine horse owners' experiences, attitudes and beliefs around the provision of the 3Fs. Most participants were female, aged from 25 to 65 years, resident in the UK and kept their horse at a livery facility. A reflexive thematic analysis...
Phenotypic and genetic factors that affect the likelihood of Standardbred foals achieving a race start. This study was conducted to quantify the probability of a Standardbred foal attaining early career milestones and to estimate some environmental and genetic factors that influence achievement of those milestones. Data for all Standardbred foals registered at birth in New Zealand from 1995 to 2018 were used to estimate variance components and fixed effects influencing attainment of three early-career traits; registered with trainer (REG), starting in a trial (TRIAL) and starting in a race (RACE). The study population comprised 65,256 foals. Of these, 65.5% attained REG, 55.4% progressed to TRIA...
Reply to Henshall et al. Commentary on “MacKechnie-Guire et al. Measuring Noseband Tightness on the Lateral Aspect of the Horse’s Face. Animals 2025, 15, 537”. In a paper published in 2017, Doherty et al [...].
Forage nutritive analysis in practical equine feeding: challenges and opportunities. Previous research has shown that forage nutritive analyses are not used to any large extent in equine nutrition. As forages differ widely in nutritional quality, knowledge of the nutritive value is essential to avoid under- or overfeeding of horses. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate how forage nutritive analyses were used among horse owners in Sweden, and to identify challenges horse owners encounter with such analyses. Methods: Data was collected through an online survey with questions about the respondent, access to forage analytical reports, if and how the respondent used ...
Industry Perceptions of Thoroughbred Racehorse Emotions and Quality of Life: Implications for the Development of an Equine Quality of Life Assessment Tool. Understanding how horses experience their lives is essential for improving their welfare, particularly in high-performance industries such as horseracing. Quality of Life (QoL) frameworks highlight the balance between positive and negative experiences over time, yet there is limited evidence on how racing professionals assess horse emotions and QoL, especially positive emotional states. This study reports findings from an international online survey of 230 racing industry participants. It explored confidence in assessing racehorse emotions, the perceived importance of emotional state for perfo...
Horse Welfare 12: A Human Behavior Change Framework for Improving Horse Welfare. To improve horse welfare do we need more science or a different scientific approach? For over 40 years researchers have called for change to improve horse welfare. During this time, publications have grown exponentially, improving our understanding of horse's needs and the need for change. However, the translation of science into practice is arguably too slow, and yet, there is scant industry-specific research to guide change efforts. To assist behaviour change research, this paper recasts an influential, highly regarded systems thinking framework, the Meadows 12, for the horse industry as the...
Radiographic and Morphological Prevalence of Dorsopalmar Hoof Distortions in in Brazilian High-Performance Racehorses. Although racehorses represent a dominant segment in equine industry, there are growing concerns regarding injury prevention, with hoof conformation increasingly recognized as a contributing factor. Objective: To morphologically and radiographically evaluate the forelimb digits of racehorses at the São Paulo Jockey Club in order to determine the prevalence of dorsopalmar hoof distortions and to compare morphological and radiographic methods for assessing the hoof-pastern axis. Methods: The forelimb digits of 59 thoroughbred horses aged 3 to 4 years were evaluated using standardized photographi...
Horse genetics, archaeology, and the beginning of riding. Recent papers argued that the domestication of horses can be equated with the appearance of favorable genetic mutations that are first evident in individuals in the DOM2 clade dated about ∼2200-2100 BCE. We challenge the idea that this genetic shift alone defines domestication. Evidence from archaeology, ancient DNA, osteology, and other disciplines shows that horses from multiple genetic backgrounds (DOM1, DOM2, and, as we suggest here, DOM3) were managed, milked, and ridden long before 2200 BCE. Yamnaya groups (∼3200-2600 BCE) rode DOM2 horses-the direct ancestors of modern domestic stoc...
Owner-Reported Cohort Study of Causes, Management and Outcome of Traumatic Wounds in 219 Horses. Current evidence on traumatic equine wounds are predominantly from expert opinion reviews or referral hospital studies. This study aimed to describe the owner-reported causes, management and outcome of equine wounds. An owner-reported cohort approach was used. Owners of horses with recent traumatic wounds were recruited through snowball sampling. Data were collected from initial injury to final healing and outcome, including horse demographics, wound cause and location, owner- and veterinary-administered treatment, and outcome. Descriptive statistics included frequency percentages (%, x/y) and...
The effect of form on equine salt intake. Sodium and chloride are required nutrients and are typically met using sodium chloride (salt) via compressed blocks. The objective of this study was to compare salt intake using block or loose salt. Sixteen mature horses were blocked by housing style and assigned to block salt or loose salt (form) for four 7-day periods. Salt intake was measured by weight at the end of each period and was not affected by form (P = 0.070) or period (P = 0.902). There was an effect of horse (P < 0.001). Horses consumed between 2 and 135 g of salt daily, however; over half of the horses in the study di...
Impact of evidence-based information on horse owners’ misconceptions of colic. Misconceptions can be defined as 'false, persistent beliefs' or 'inaccurate, prior knowledge' and can influence decision-making. Objective: To investigate the impact of evidence-based information on UK horse owners' decision-making for colic. Methods: Mixed-methods cross-sectional study. Methods: An online survey was distributed to UK horse owners, with four sections: owner demographics; views on decision-making and referral to an equine hospital facility for colic; current knowledge and approach to colic; impact of evidence-based information (including evidence on recognising and responding t...
Money, morality, and nationalism: the contested sponsorship of the Falsterbo horse show. In early 2025, the Falsterbo Horse Show entered a title sponsorship agreement with Al Shira'aa Stables in the United Arab Emirates, prompting extensive Swedish media coverage and strong public reactions. This controversy offers an opportunity to examine how sport sponsorship becomes a site for moral and geopolitical boundary-making. Drawing on a Foucauldian understanding of discourse as a meaning-making practice, the study analyses 210 Swedish newspaper articles published between February and April 2025 to explore how power/knowledge operates through language and how sponsorship is discursivel...
Objective gait analysis methods for assessing movement asymmetry in the equine patient. To demonstrate the uses, data interpretation, and limitations of objective gait analysis methods in equine practice. Unassigned: Teaching and client-owned horses. Unassigned: Informed owner consent was obtained for all animals used in the making of this technical tutorial video. Primary literature relevant to this video was reviewed from January 2016 to January 2026. Images and data were collected from teaching horses and client-owned horses. Unassigned: Objective gait analysis provides accurate and repeatable data on the locomotion of a horse; however, inaccuracies may occur, especially in ca...
United States stakeholder insights on genetic testing for equine health and breeding. The S1094 United States Department of Agriculture Multistate Research Project is a collaborative effort utilizing equine genetics and genomics to improve horse health and well-being. It also provides educational resources and genetic testing tools to equine industry stakeholders. Objective: A survey assessed the knowledge, priorities, and information sources of U.S. horse owners and enthusiasts regarding equine genetic testing to inform future outreach and research efforts. Methods: An online survey was distributed from March to October 2024, targeting horse owners and enthusiasts across the U...
Priorities and Recommendations for Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Improve Equid Health and Welfare. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being increasingly used for equid health and welfare. This study aimed to establish consensus on where and how AI should be developed to achieve maximum benefit in this field. A workshop involving 41 stakeholders generated statements about current welfare concerns, areas for AI development, and barriers and solutions to AI use. Statements were circulated through Delphi surveys (acceptance set at 75% agreement). One-hundred-and-six statements reached agreement. Ethological needs not being met and poor equid management practices were key welfare concerns. Particip...
Horses Prefer Their Rider: A Strange Situation Test Adaptation Shows Behavioural Evidence for Partner-Specific Bonding. The relationship between horses and humans is often described as cooperative and affective, yet empirical studies on horse-rider bond remain scarce. Previous findings on horse-human relationships yielded conflicting results on whether and how horses show bonding like behaviour toward their owners. Objective: We tested whether horses show partner-specific approach and proximity toward their primary rider compared with an unfamiliar experimenter in an adapted Strange Situation Test, and whether the rider's presence was associated with behavioural patterns indicative of safe haven and secure base...
Assessment of the Welfare of Working Horses: Combining Clinical Evaluations with Indirect Indicators. Assessing the welfare of the working horses is crucial for identifying health and management issues and implementing effective solutions. This study evaluated the welfare of working horses in South Darfur, Sudan, by integrating clinical examination with indirect indicators through owner interviews. A total of 400 horse-owner pairs were included. Most horses (61.7%) worked every day, and 77% of owners reported using whips to encourage movement. Clinical assessment revealed that 29.0% of horses were thin, over half had dirty coats, 50.5% harbored external parasites, 43% had abnormal discharges, ...
Effect of Acer species (red and Freeman maple) and horse characteristics, management, and location on the in vitro oxidation of equine erythrocytes. Red maple toxicosis arises when horses consume wilted maple leaves, resulting in methemoglobinemia and hemolytic anemia due to oxidative damage to erythrocytes. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine how maple species (red versus Freeman maple) and horse characteristics, management, and barn site contributed to in vitro methemoglobin production and hemolysis. Methods: Horse information was obtained through an owner questionnaire. Extracts from red and Freeman maple leaves were separately incubated with washed erythrocytes from each horse (n=120). The in vitro percentage methem...
Geriatric Horses in Germany: Approaches to Nutrition, Housing and Overall Care. Changes in horse management and use mean that a growing number of horses are now kept into older age, while age-specific management practices for these animals remain insufficiently documented. This cross-sectional online survey aimed to describe the housing, feeding, activity, behaviour and care routines of horses aged 20 years and older in Germany, based on 923 questionnaires completed by horse owners about their senior horses. Most horses maintained regular tactile social contact (87.4%, = 805), and over half were still ridden or driven (61.6%, = 566). However, the proportion of horses in...
Gaps Between Awareness and Prevention of West Nile Virus Among Horse Owners in an Endemic Country: A Cross-Sectional Study from Romania. West Nile virus (WNV) circulates endemically in Romania, yet prevention of WNV infection in horses largely depends on owner-driven decisions that require accurate risk perception and veterinary guidance. A cross-sectional online survey was carried out between May and November 2025 to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices (KAP) regarding WNV among 227 horse owners from various Romanian regions. In total, 67.4% of respondents had previously heard of WNV. The main transmission route was correctly identified as mosquito bites by 49.8% of participants, while 32.2% answered "do...
Paternal determinants of Offspring Sex Ratio in horses: A retrospective analysis of stallion breed, age, and breeding method. Offspring Sex Ratio (OSR) at birth in mammals is generally assumed to follow a 1:1 male-to-female distribution, yet deviations in OSR have been observed and may be influenced by maternal and paternal factors. In this study we have focused on the effect of paternal factors (stallion age and breed) and breeding methods on the OSR. Using a retrospective dataset of 251,783 foal births recorded in France between 2015 and 2024, we applied generalized linear mixed models to evaluate the effects of these variables on the likelihood of producing a female foal. Stallion identity was included as a random...
Friends, forage, freedom: A cluster analysis investigating horse management styles and welfare in the UK and Ireland. This study aims to improve the welfare and management of recreational horses by identifying how different management styles affect horse health and behaviour. We examined the management styles of recreational horse owners in the UK and Ireland, focusing on social interaction (friends), access to suitable forage (forage), and unrestricted movement (freedom). We collected 1,501 survey responses, distributed via social media, and summarised the characteristics and management choices of the respondents. Using the Divisive ANAlysis cluster package in R, three distinct management styles were identif...
Parasite management practices used by owners of Australian Pony Club horses and the factors influencing their decision-making processes. There is a lack of information on horse parasite management practices currently used by individual horse owners in Australia. A voluntary, anonymous online survey was developed for and distributed by Pony Club Australia to its members seeking information on horse population; housing; paddock, manure and parasite management; and owner attitudes. From a total of 98 completed responses, 95/98 of participants indicated their horses spent time in paddocks, 91/98 administered anthelmintics, 42/98 guessed their horse's body weight for dosing, 78/98 recalled the dewormer brand or active ingredient las...
Scientific Evidence and Common Perceptions of Factors Affecting Sugar Content in Pasture Grass: Is There a Link With Pre-existing Horse-Related Experience? Several equine conditions are associated with and exacerbated by increased high-sugar grass intake. Knowing how climatic and biotic factors affect sugar content in grasses is important for decision-making by those involved in the management of equines. Objective: (1) To characterise equine owners' knowledge and perceptions of the factors affecting sugar content in grasses to inform in the management of grasses and equines. (2) To identify associations between pre-existing horse-related experience and level of knowledge about equine nutrition and health conditions. Methods: A questionnaire was ...
Horses show limited owner bias in reunion and odor tests: a pilot study. Compared to other companion animals, our understanding of the human-horse relationship is limited, particularly from the horse's perspective. This pilot study examined whether horses (N = 30) show a bias towards their owner in a reunion in the presence of both the owner and a stranger. Afterwards, the horses were also presented with the odor of the owner and a stranger. Both tests were video recorded for behavioral analyzation. No significant owner-directed bias was observed at the group level in either the reunion test or the odor test. Nonetheless, in the reunion test, owner bias in physical...
“If you trust a vet, it’s easier to reach out to them with questions”: Flemish horse owner perspectives on communication about complementary and alternative veterinary medicine. To assess horse owners' behaviors and perceptions regarding communication about complementary and alternative veterinary medicine (CAVM) with their veterinarian. Unassigned: A cross-sectional online survey was combined with a qualitative study in the form of in-depth interviews with Flemish horse owners. Unassigned: The study included 1,532 fully completed survey responses and 26 interviews. Overall, horse owners showed high trust in the veterinarian and were satisfied with veterinarian-client communication. While 61.7% of participants indicated that they had already talked about CAVM with the...
