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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2019; 9(4); 134; doi: 10.3390/ani9040134

Living the ‘Best Life’ or ‘One Size Fits All’-Stakeholder Perceptions of Racehorse Welfare.

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to explore the perceptions held by British racing industry stakeholders of factors influencing racehorse welfare. Ten focus groups were held across the UK with a total of 42 stakeholders from a range of roles within racehorse care including trainers, stable staff and veterinarians. Participants took part in three exercises. Firstly, to describe the scenarios of a 'best life' and the minimum welfare standards a horse in training could be living under. Secondly, to identify the main challenges for racehorse welfare and thirdly, to recall any innovative or uncommon practices to improve welfare they had witnessed. Using thematic analysis, eight themes emerged from the first exercise. Two strands, factors that contribute to maintaining health and the horse-human relationship ran through all eight themes. Across all themes horses living the 'best life' were perceived as being treated as individuals rather than being part of a 'one size fits all' life when kept under minimum welfare standards. Health was both perceived as the main challenge to welfare as well as one open to innovative practices such as improved veterinary treatments. Data obtained, informed by the knowledge and expertise of experienced stakeholders, combined with practical animal welfare science will be used to develop the first British racehorse welfare assessment protocol.
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Publication Date: 2019-03-31 PubMed ID: 30935137PubMed Central: PMC6523604DOI: 10.3390/ani9040134Google 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 study explored the perspectives of various stakeholders within the British racing industry on factors impacting the welfare of racehorses. The research findings informed the creation of the first ever British racehorse welfare assessment protocol.

Research Methodology

The research was conducted through ten focus groups located throughout the UK. Participation included a total of 42 stakeholders who are actively involved in racehorse care. These individuals had roles including trainers, stable staff, and veterinarians.

  • Exercise one: Participants were asked to describe what a ‘best life’ scenario for a racehorse in training would look like, and the minimum welfare standards applicable to these racehorses.
  • Exercise two: The participants identified the primary challenges affecting the welfare of racehorses.
  • Exercise three: Participants were asked to share any innovative or uncommon practices they’ve seen to improve racehorse welfare.

Research Findings

Using a method of data analysis known as thematic analysis, the researchers were able to identify eight dominant themes from the first exercise.

  • The ‘Best life’: Horses under this scenario were perceived as being treated as individuals with their specific needs being met.
  • Minimum welfare standards: In contrast, horses under minimum welfare standards were seen as being subject to a ‘one size fits all’ approach where individual needs may not be sufficiently addressed.

Two main strands ran through these themes: the factors contributing to maintaining health and the horse-human relationship.

The health of the horse appeared as both the biggest challenge to welfare and one that was open to innovative practices to improve.

Outcome and Next Steps

The data collected during this research, informed by the knowledge and expertise of the stakeholders, combined with the science of animal welfare, was then used to develop the first British racehorse welfare assessment protocol. This standard should help to ensure the welfare of racehorses is upheld in the future.

Cite This Article

APA
Butler D, Valenchon M, Annan R, Whay HR, Mullan S. (2019). Living the ‘Best Life’ or ‘One Size Fits All’-Stakeholder Perceptions of Racehorse Welfare. Animals (Basel), 9(4), 134. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9040134

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 9
Issue: 4
PII: 134

Researcher Affiliations

Butler, Deborah
  • School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford, Somerset BS40 5DU, UK. deborah.butler@bristol.ac.uk.
Valenchon, Mathilde
  • School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford, Somerset BS40 5DU, UK. mathilde.valenchon@bristol.ac.uk.
Annan, Rachel
  • School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford, Somerset BS40 5DU, UK. rachel.annan@bristol.ac.uk.
Whay, Helen R
  • School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford, Somerset BS40 5DU, UK. Bec.Whay@bristol.ac.uk.
Mullan, Siobhan
  • School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford, Somerset BS40 5DU, UK. Siobhan.Mullan@bristol.ac.uk.

Grant Funding

  • R113851-101 / The Racing Foundation

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 17 times.
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