A Delphi Study to Determine International and National Equestrian Expert Opinions on Domains and Sub-Domains Essential to Managing Sporthorse Health and Welfare in the Olympic Disciplines.
Abstract: The public is increasingly questioning equestrianism's social license to operate. While the focus historically centered on horseracing, increased scrutiny is now being placed on how dressage, showjumping, and eventing are addressing equine management and welfare concerns. Nominated equestrian federation and equestrian organization experts ( = 104) directly involved in international and/or national-level horse sports took part in a four-stage, iterative Delphi to obtain consensus on what factors should be considered essential to manage sporthorse health and welfare. Five core domains were agreed as essential: training management, competition management, young horse management, health status and veterinary management, and the horse-human relationship. Two further domains: stable and environmental management, and welfare assessment were rated as important but not essential, as most respondents felt that these areas were already managed well. Participants felt increased education and guidance combined with further policy development and regulation are needed to support stakeholders to optimize sporthorse management. An appetite to engage with research to generate evidence that promotes sporthorse welfare was evident. The development of a sporthorse welfare charter and evidence-based guidelines to inform the management and monitoring of sporthorses' health and welfare are recommended to provide horses with a good life and to safeguard the future of equestrian sports.
Publication Date: 2023-11-02 PubMed ID: 37958159PubMed Central: PMC10650931DOI: 10.3390/ani13213404Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This study uses a Delphi method to gather international and national equestrian experts’ opinions on essential areas for managing horse welfare in Olympic equestrian disciplines. Five main areas were identified: training management, competition management, young horse management, health status and veterinary management, and the horse-human relationship, while stable and environmental management, and welfare assessment were considered important but already well-managed.
Methodology
- The researchers used a Delphi method to gather consensus from expert participants. This is a structured group communication process to gain consensus from a panel of selected experts.
- The panel consisted of 104 equestrian federation and equestrian organization experts who were directly involved in international and/or national-level horse sports.
Findings
- The panel identified five areas as essential for sporthorse health and welfare: training management, competition management, young horse management, health status and veterinary management, and the horse-human relationship.
- Two further domains: stable and environmental management, and welfare assessment were considered important but not essential. The general belief among panel members was that these domains were already well managed within the industry.
Recommendations
- The study concludes with the recommendation for increased education and guidance along with further policy development and regulation to support stakeholders in managing sporthorse health and welfare optimally.
- The experts showed an interest in connecting with research for evidence-based practices promoting sporthorse welfare.
- The authors recommend developing a sporthorse welfare charter and evidence-based guidelines to inform the management and monitoring of the horses’ health and welfare. These measures are proposed to ensure a good life for sports horses and to safeguard the future of equestrian sports.
Cite This Article
APA
Williams JM, Berg LC, Clayton HM, Kirsch K, Marlin D, Randle H, Roepstroff L, Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MSV, Weishaupt MA, Munsters C.
(2023).
A Delphi Study to Determine International and National Equestrian Expert Opinions on Domains and Sub-Domains Essential to Managing Sporthorse Health and Welfare in the Olympic Disciplines.
Animals (Basel), 13(21), 3404.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13213404 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Department, Hartpury University, Gloucester GL19 3BE, UK.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, University of Copenhagen, Hoejbakkegaards Alle 5, 2630 Taastrup, Denmark.
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
- Department Sensors and Modeling, Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Max-Eyth Allee 100, 14469 Potsdam, Germany.
- AnimalWeb Ltd., Tennyson House, Cambridge CB4 0WZ, UK.
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
- Equine Integration B.V., Groenstraat 2c, 5528 NS Hoogeloon, The Netherlands.
Grant Funding
- NA / World Horse Welfare
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest and declare no personal circumstances or interest that may be perceived as inappropriately influencing the representation or interpretation of reported research results.
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