Ethological and clinical evaluation of the welfare of horses in draft competitions in Spain.

Research Overview

• This study evaluates the welfare of horses participating in traditional draft and pulling competitions in Spain using clinical, ethological, and physiological measures.
• The research aims to assess these horses’ health, behavior, and physical responses during competition to identify any welfare concerns and suggest improvements.

Background and Context

• The Valencian Community in Spain hosts a traditional equestrian sport where draft horses pull carts loaded with twice their body weight on sand tracks.
• This sport is considered cultural heritage but raises animal welfare concerns due to the high physical demands on the horses.
• Prior to this study, there were no comprehensive welfare assessments using validated health, behavioral, and physiological indicators for these working horses.

Study Design and Methods

• Participants: 160 horses of various breeds and five different weight categories were evaluated across five separate competitions.
• Evaluations included:
  • Health parameters such as body condition scores and hoof status
  • Presence of lesions or injuries, particularly those related to harness use
  • Behavioral responses to human observers, noting signs of alertness, avoidance, or aggression
• Physiological data were collected from 20 horses through heart rate monitoring during competition and hematological (blood) analyses.
• Owners were surveyed to gather information about their demographics and horse management practices.

Key Findings

• Body Condition and Health:
  • 74.4% of horses had an adequate body condition score (3 out of 5), indicating good nutrition and overall health.
  • Low incidence of harness-related injuries, mainly superficial abrasions, primarily affecting older horses (up to 15.6%).
  • Observed conformation defects in 11.9% of horses and hoof overgrowth in 19.4%, suggesting areas for hoof care improvement.
• Behavioral Observations:
  • 65% of horses remained alert and engaged with their environment during evaluation.
  • 68.8% responded amicably to human evaluators, showing good temperament and handling.
  • Younger horses exhibited more avoidance and aggressive behaviors, likely due to less training or experience.
• Physiological Measurements:
  • Heart rates peaked at an average of 175 beats per minute during competition, comparable with heart rates during other equestrian sports like show jumping.
  • All horses’ heart rates returned to baseline within 15 minutes post-exercise, indicating good fitness and recovery ability.
  • Hematological analyses showed normal blood parameters, suggesting no significant physiological stress or illness associated with participation.
• Owner and Management Insights:
  • Owner surveys provided context on social profiles and horse care practices, which may influence animal welfare outcomes.

Conclusions and Recommendations

• Overall, draft pulling horses in these Spanish competitions display good health and fitness levels with minimal evidence of welfare issues.
• The physical demands, although substantial, do not appear to cause serious harm, as demonstrated by physiological recovery and low injury rates.
• However, there is opportunity to enhance welfare by:
  • Improving hoof care to address overgrowth and prevent related problems.
  • Implementing training programs aimed at preventing harness-related injuries.
  • Conducting regular veterinary check-ups for early detection and management of potential issues.