[Critical consideration of the “Guideline for the Evaluation of Raising Horses” and keeping horses outside in the winter].

The research article explores the inadequacy of the 1995 “horse keeping with respect to animal welfare” guidelines provided by the Federal Ministry of User Protection, Nutrition and Agriculture (BMVEL), emphasizing the need for updated rules incorporating modern practices and recent research findings. Further, it discusses the possibility of keeping horses outside during winter, provided certain conditions ensuring their welfare are met.

Reviewing Outdated Guidelines

• The research identifies that the BMVEL’s 1995 guidelines for keeping horses are outdated and not congruent with modern horse keeping practices.
• It points out that these existing guidelines fail to take into account a wealth of later investigations into horse keeping and species-specific needs of horses in practice.
• The Veterinary Association for Animal Welfare (TVT) hence found it essential to revise and update these guidelines so that they reflect the latest literature and practical experiences in horse keeping.
• The TVT added several chapters to the guidelines (recumbency resting behaviour, fences, underground outdoor and in stables, litter) to address modern housing conditions like boxes with paddocks, loose housing systems with open yards, pasture and winter yards.

Feasibility of Outdoor Keeping in Winter

• The research asserts that keeping horses outdoors permanently during winter is possible due to their strong thermoregulatory capabilities allowing them to adapt to cold conditions.
• However, it emphasizes that, for the sake of animal welfare, any such outdoor living situation should include adequate shelter – either natural or artificial.
• Shelters should protect horses from various weather conditions such as wetness, heat, cold and wind. Furthermore, they need to be sufficiently large and high, and should have a dry and clean underground.
• In addition to the provision of appropriate shelters, the research also underlines the need for dry paths to feeding and watering areas, and the shelter. The food must be protected from mould and soiling as well.
• Keeping horses permanently outside without adequate shelter or in deep marsh without any dry places goes against the Animal Protection Act, the research stresses.