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Equine veterinary journal2025; doi: 10.1002/evj.70142

Longitudinal welfare assessment in French jump racehorses during season preparation.

Abstract: Public scrutiny of racehorse welfare is increasing. The preparatory training phase preceding the racing season is potentially a critical period for physical and mental development. Structured welfare assessment protocols have recently been developed, but their use in field conditions remains limited. Objective: (1) To evaluate the field applicability of a racehorse-specific welfare assessment protocol in a professional French jump racing yard; and (2) to explore whether it can detect relevant physical and behavioural changes in young horses during season preparation. Methods: Longitudinal observational study with repeated measures. Methods: Sixteen two- to three-year-old racehorses (10 Thoroughbreds, 6 French Non-Thoroughbreds) from a single jump racing yard were assessed at three time points (T0, T1, T2) over 5 months before the racing season. Direct observations included environmental conditions, physical health, horse grimace scale (HGS), human-horse relationship tests, and behavioural activity budgets via scan sampling. Mixed-effects models evaluated temporal changes and associated factors. Results: Horses were healthy, with adequate nutrition and comfort, though no free turn-out and social contact often limited to visual interaction (68%). Body condition score decreased significantly at T1 (β = -0.96; 95% CI: [-1.7, -0.26]; p = 0.007) and T2 (β = -2.0; 95% CI: [-2.9, -1.1]; p < 0.001). Lip commissure lesions were prevalent (external 65%, internal 75%). HGS scores increased significantly at T2 (β = 1.7; 95% CI: [0.85, 2.6]; p < 0.001), and horses with physical social contact had lower scores (β = -1.3; 95% CI: [-2.3, -0.22]; p = 0.02). Behavioural activity budgets showed inter-individual variability. Conclusions: Small sample size and attrition limit generalisability. Assessments were conducted during routine training days without altering management, occasionally limiting evaluations. Conclusions: Structured welfare assessments are feasible in field conditions, highlight areas for improvement, and can capture relevant changes during jump racing season preparation.
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Publication Date: 2025-12-21 PubMed ID: 41424082DOI: 10.1002/evj.70142Google Scholar: Lookup
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APA
Bonhomme MM, Boisdenghien L, Couroucé A, Votion DM. (2025). Longitudinal welfare assessment in French jump racehorses during season preparation. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1002/evj.70142

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Bonhomme, Maëlle M
  • Department of Functional Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
Boisdenghien, Laura
  • Department of Functional Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
Couroucé, Anne
  • Equine Department, National Vet School of Nantes, Oniris Vetagrobio, Nantes, France.
  • Biotargen, University of Caen Normandie, Saint Contest, France.
Votion, Dominique-Marie
  • Department of Functional Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.

Grant Funding

  • FSR2024 / University of Liège
  • ASP/A 557-FC 43933 / Fonds De La Recherche Scientifique - FNRS
  • Rech-CS-2023_2026_16_Jump_SAFELY / Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Équitation (IFCE)

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