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Animal : an international journal of animal bioscience2016; 11(2); 254-260; doi: 10.1017/S1751731116001452

Initial outcomes of a harmonized approach to collect welfare data in sport and leisure horses.

Abstract: A truthful snapshot of horse welfare conditions is a prerequisite for predicting the impact of any actions intended to improve the quality of life of horses. This can be achieved when welfare information, gathered by different assessors in diverse geographical areas, is valid, comparable and collected in a harmonized way. This paper aims to present the first outcomes of the Animal Welfare Indicators (AWIN) approach: the results of on-farm assessment and a reliable and harmonized data collection system. A total of 355 sport and leisure horses, stabled in 40 facilities in Italy and in Germany, were evaluated by three trained assessors using the AWIN welfare assessment protocol for horses. The AWINHorse app was used to collect, store and send data to a common server. Identified welfare issues were obesity, unsatisfactory box dimensions, long periods of confinement and lack of social interaction. The digitalized data collection was feasible in an on-farm environment, and our results suggest that this approach could prove useful in identifying the most relevant welfare issues of horses in Europe or worldwide.
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Publication Date: 2016-07-13 PubMed ID: 27406177DOI: 10.1017/S1751731116001452Google 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.

This research study presents the initial results of a standardized system for collecting data on horse welfare. Data was collected on 355 sport and leisure horses in Italy and Germany to identify common welfare issues. The issues found included obesity, small stable sizes, lengthy confinement periods, and lack of social interaction.

Research Objectives

  • The primary objective was to develop a consistent and reliable system for collecting data regarding the welfare of sport and leisure horses.
  • The researchers also aimed to identify key welfare issues commonly experienced by horses.
  • The study strove to demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of using the developed system in real-world environments.

Methodology

  • A total of 355 horses, situated in 40 facilities in Italy and Germany, were part of the study.
  • Three trained assessors used the Animal Welfare Indicators (AWIN) welfare assessment protocol for horses.
  • The AWINHorse app was used for data collection, storage, and transmission to a central server.

Findings

  • The main welfare issues identified were obesity, unsatisfactory stable sizes, extended periods of confinement, and a lack of social interaction.
  • The research found that a digitized data collection system was feasible for use in on-farm environments.
  • The results suggested that this harmonized approach to data collection could be useful in identifying significant welfare issues for horses across Europe or other global regions.

Implications

  • The development of a harmonized system for data collection offers a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of horse welfare.
  • With consistent, comparative data, measures can be more effectively put forward to improve horse welfare.
  • Identifying the most relevant issues can allow for targeted interventions to improve the quality of life for horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Dalla Costa E, Dai F, Lebelt D, Scholz P, Barbieri S, Canali E, Minero M. (2016). Initial outcomes of a harmonized approach to collect welfare data in sport and leisure horses. Animal, 11(2), 254-260. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731116001452

Publication

Animal : an international journal of animal bioscience
ISSN: 1751-732X
NlmUniqueID: 101303270
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 2
Pages: 254-260

Researcher Affiliations

Dalla Costa, E
  • 1Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria,Università degli Studi di Milano,via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan,Italy.
Dai, F
  • 1Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria,Università degli Studi di Milano,via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan,Italy.
Lebelt, D
  • 2Pferdeklinik Havelland/Havelland Equine Hospital,Hohenferchesarer Straße 49,D-14778 Beetzsee OT Brielow,Germany.
Scholz, P
  • 2Pferdeklinik Havelland/Havelland Equine Hospital,Hohenferchesarer Straße 49,D-14778 Beetzsee OT Brielow,Germany.
Barbieri, S
  • 1Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria,Università degli Studi di Milano,via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan,Italy.
Canali, E
  • 1Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria,Università degli Studi di Milano,via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan,Italy.
Minero, M
  • 1Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria,Università degli Studi di Milano,via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan,Italy.

MeSH Terms

  • Animal Husbandry / standards
  • Animal Welfare
  • Animals
  • Data Collection
  • Germany
  • Horses / physiology
  • Italy
  • Quality of Life
  • Sports

Citations

This article has been cited 15 times.
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