Show Horse Welfare: Horse Show Competitors’ Understanding, Awareness, and Perceptions of Equine Welfare.

This research aimed to understand how well competitors at stock-type horse shows comprehend horse welfare issues and their level of concern for the horses’ well-being. The investigation reveals that while most respondents acknowledge the importance of physical well-being in horse welfare, fewer support its behavioral and mental aspects. Further, the researchers identified practices perceived as inhumane in horse shows as well as factors influencing decisions related to horse care and treatment.

Understanding of Horse Welfare

• The study sought to understand how competitors at stock-type horse shows perceive horse welfare. To do this, an online questionnaire was administered, which gathered respondent’s views on general horse welfare and welfare concerns specific to the horse show industry.
• A significant majority of those surveyed agreed that physical indicators should be considered when assessing a horse’s welfare. These physical metrics could include, for instance, the horse’s overall health, nutritional status, or freedom from injury.
• In contrast, fewer respondents believed that mental and behavioral metrics were as critical in evaluating equine welfare. These could involve factors like the horse’s level of stress, ability to display natural behaviors, or psychological well-being.

Empathy Levels and Welfare Perception

• The empathy levels of respondents, or their capacity to understand and share the feelings of their horses, were also examined in the study. These were found to be moderately to highly developed in most respondents.
• Interestingly, there was a positive correlation between these high empathy levels and the belief in considering behavioral and mental metrics in horse welfare evaluation. This suggests that the more empathetic contestants are, the more likely they are to see the importance of a horse’s mental and behavioral aspects in their overall well-being.

Inhumane Practices and Decision Influences

• The survey participants pointed out several practices they deemed inhumane at stock-type horse shows. Examples of these include excessive pulling on the reins, excess spurring, and the promotion of unnatural movement in horses.
• When it came to decision-making about their horse’s care and treatment, respondents identified association rules, hired trainers, and riding instructors as the most significant influences. This highlights the role of industry standards and experienced individuals in shaping attitudes towards equine welfare.