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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2025; 15(15); 2182; doi: 10.3390/ani15152182

Horse Activity Participants’ Perceptions About Practices Undertaken at Activity Venues, and Horse Welfare and Wellbeing.

Abstract: Participation in horse-related activities frequently involves relocating horses from the home stable to an activity venue, which might require local, regional, or international travel. In these circumstances, horses are exposed to unfamiliar surroundings and experience changes to their daily routines, which could have negative welfare impacts. An online survey was conducted in 2021 to ask experienced horse sector participants about the horse management practices that they perceived worked well and provided for positive horse welfare when undertaken at venues. Qualitative analysis identified four themes: 'managing venues', 'monitoring fitness to participate', 'maintaining a healthy equine digestive system', and 'using horse behaviors to inform decision-making'. The findings indicate that activity-related individuals selected practices that assisted horses to adapt to venue surroundings, remain calm, and stay healthy. The co-authors propose that experienced participants recognize that practices include both provisions (inputs) and outcomes (the horse's subjective experiences), resonating with the Five Freedoms and Five Domains models. For horse activity organizations proposing to implement the Five Domains model, the findings indicate that reviewing practices and implementing updates is timely and achievable. The authors propose that continuously updating practices will contribute to safeguarding horses and maintaining the sector's social license to operate.
Publication Date: 2025-07-24 PubMed ID: 40804971PubMed Central: PMC12345512DOI: 10.3390/ani15152182Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article aims to understand the perceptions of horse activity participants regarding best practices for horse welfare during activities that require travel. The study identified successful practical approaches for maintaining a positive impact on horse welfare at venues.

Methodology

  • The researchers undertook an online survey in 2021, targeting experienced participants in the horse industry. This survey was positioned to establish individual perceptions about practices beneficial to the horses’ overall wellbeing during activity venues that require relocation from their home stables.

Results

  • The study presented four main themes based on a qualitative analysis of the survey responses. These themes include effective venue management, monitoring fitness to participate, maintaining a healthy equine digestive system, and the use of horse behaviors to inform decision-making.

Implications

  • The results suggest that participants in horse-related activities prioritize practices that help horses adjust to unfamiliar surroundings, keep calm, and stay healthy.
  • This perception mirrors the elements of the Five Freedoms and Five Domains models for animal welfare, which balance the need for necessary inputs (like resources and conditions) and consider the subjective experiences of the animal.
  • For organizations striving to implement the Five Domains model, these findings make the case for revising and regularly updating their practices for the benefit of horse welfare.
  • The authors posit that continuous updates and evolution of these practices will ensure the protection of horses.
  • Maintaining up-to-date, successful animal welfare practices also contributes to maintaining the horse industry’s social license to operate.

Conclusion

  • The study does invaluable work in underlining the importance of considering and emphasizing horses’ well-being in all practices within the industry.
  • By following the insights from experienced participants and aligning with the Five Domains model, organizations can safeguard the horses in their care and maintain a socially acceptable operation.

Cite This Article

APA
Fiedler JM, Rosanowski S, Ayre ML, Slater JD. (2025). Horse Activity Participants’ Perceptions About Practices Undertaken at Activity Venues, and Horse Welfare and Wellbeing. Animals (Basel), 15(15), 2182. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15152182

Publication

ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 15
PII: 2182

Researcher Affiliations

Fiedler, Julie M
  • Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Melbourne, VIC 3030, Australia.
Rosanowski, Sarah
  • Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Melbourne, VIC 3030, Australia.
Ayre, Margaret L
  • School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, University of Melbourne, Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
Slater, Josh D
  • Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Melbourne, VIC 3030, Australia.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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