The relationship between the welfare quality and stress index in working and breeding horses.

This study investigates if a correlation exists between the welfare quality and stress levels in working and breeding horses. It concludes that working horses face poorer welfare and higher stress compared to breeding horses as indicated by health, behavior, and blood tests.

Study Overview

• The research involved an observational study of 1482 horses categorized into working horses, breeding stallions, and broodmares. The study was carried twice in different seasons to investigate if there were significant seasonal influences on the results.
• The welfare of these horses was evaluated using a range of health and behavioral parameters. These parameters were then used to compute an individual welfare score for each horse.
• In addition to welfare scoring, researchers also performed a blood test called a white blood cell (WBC) count and calculated the neutrophil:lymphocyte (N:L) ratio. The N:L ratio is a well-known stress indicator in many species, including equines. Thus, this ratio provided a measure of the horse’s stress level.

Key Findings

• The most health problems were identified in working horses, suggesting that this group experienced lower welfare than breeding stallions and broodmares.
• The welfare scores were significantly lower in working horses compared to breeding ones in both assessment seasons.
• The N:L ratio (stress indicator) was significantly higher in working horses compared to breeding ones. This suggested that the working horses were experiencing more stress than those used for reproduction.
• The horse categories didn’t show significant differences in human-animal relationships.
• The season didn’t significantly affect the examined parameters. This means that the welfare and stress levels of these horses remained relatively constant across different periods of the year.
• Importantly, all significant correlations found between the N:L ratio (stress marker) and the welfare scores were negative. This indicated that as the horse’s welfare decreased (poorer health and behavioral parameters), its stress level increased.

Conclusion

• This study showed that working horses have lower welfare scores and higher stress levels compared to breeding horses. This suggests that their working conditions might be causing these welfare and stress issues.
• The research confirmed the use of N:L ratio as an effective parameter for identifying stress conditions in the living environment of horses. Increase in the ratio is associated with a poor welfare state. Therefore, efforts should be made to improve the working conditions of these horses to enhance their welfare and reduce stress.