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

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.