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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2021; 11(8); 2156; doi: 10.3390/ani11082156

Improving Equine Welfare through Human Habit Formation.

Abstract: This paper explores the potential for interventions to develop pro-animal welfare habitual behaviours (PAWHBs) in people to improve the lives of animals. Human behavioural research indicates that opportunities exist to deliver lasting change through developing positive habitual behaviours. The routine nature of many equine care and management practices lends itself to habit formation and maintenance. This proof-of-concept paper aims to evaluate a theory-based intervention of developing and maintaining a PAWHB in people caring for equines. Qualitative research methods were used. A 30 day PAWHB intervention (PAWHBInt) of providing enrichment to an equine by scratching them in a consistent context linked to an existing routine behaviour was undertaken. Participants (n = 9) then engaged in semi-structured interviews that were analysed using thematic analysis, where the participants self-reported the outcomes they observed during the intervention. The study findings suggest that the PAWHBInt had a positive impact on human behaviour and habit formation. The research helps to address the dearth of evidence regarding the application of habit theory to equine welfare interventions and emphasised linking a desired new behaviour to an existing routine behaviour when developing PAWHBs. The research also highlights the role of mutual benefit for human and equine, and emotion in providing feedback and potential reward, supporting the link to the cue-routine-reward principle of habit theory.
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Publication Date: 2021-07-21 PubMed ID: 34438614PubMed Central: PMC8388501DOI: 10.3390/ani11082156Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 paper investigates the influence of fostering pro-animal welfare habitual behaviours (PAWHBs) in individuals who care for horses. The study, utilizing qualitative methods, tests the theory-based intervention of developing and sustaining a PAWHB, which here involved providing equine enrichment through a fixed routine. The results indicate that such interventions positively influence human behaviour and promote habit formation aligned to enhance animal welfare. The study’s importance stems from its exploration of habit theory’s application to equine welfare improvements.

Objective and Methodology

  • The primary objective of this research was to explore the potential for the development of PAWHBs in people, particularly those responsible for the care and management of horses. This was accomplished through an intervention intended to encourage the formation of positive habits that contribute to improved animal welfare.
  • For this study, the researchers used qualitative research methodologies. This involved a 30-day intervention, wherein participants were encouraged to provide equine enrichment through a consistent routine behaviour. Such enrichment involved scratching the horses in a fixed context.
  • The study engaged nine participants who then partook in semi-structured interviews. They self-reported their outcomes noticed during the intervention. These responses were later analyzed through thematic analysis.

Key Findings

  • Study results indicated that the PAWHB-based intervention had a positive effect on participants’ behavior and promoted the formation of constructive habits beneficial to the animal’s welfare.
  • The findings help fill the lack of research evidence showing the application of habit theory in interventions for equine welfare. The research emphasizes the value of attaching a desired new behavior to an established routine behaviour when advancing PAWHBs.
  • The developed habit nurtures mutual benefits for both, the human carer and the horse. The research also demonstrated the strong role emotion played in providing feedback and potential reward, thus contributing further to the ‘cue-routine-reward’ principle of habit theory.

Implication and Significance

  • The application of a theory-based intervention in encouraging constructive habits showcases possibilities for improving the welfare of animals, particularly equines.
  • New interventions targeting caregivers may foster a considerable change in animal care habits if they incorporate the principles of habit theory. This approach could lead to the lasting implementation of beneficial behaviours.
  • Emphasizing mutual benefits and emotional rewards align with the principles of habit formation, which could drive change in animal caregiving behaviours, eventually leading to better animal welfare.

Cite This Article

APA
White J, Sims R. (2021). Improving Equine Welfare through Human Habit Formation. Animals (Basel), 11(8), 2156. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082156

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 8
PII: 2156

Researcher Affiliations

White, Jo
  • Human Behaviour Change for Animals CIC, Renhill, Mill Road, Barnham Broom, Norfolk NR9 4DE, UK.
Sims, Ruth
  • Ruth Sims, School of Psychology, College of Health, Psychology, and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby, Derbyshire DE22 1GB, UK.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Powdrill-Wells N, Bennett C, Cooke F, Rogers S, White J. A Novel Approach to Engaging Communities Through the Use of Human Behaviour Change Models to Improve Companion Animal Welfare and Reduce Relinquishment. Animals (Basel) 2025 Apr 3;15(7).
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