Using the Five Domains Model to develop welfare assessment guidelines for Thoroughbred horses in New Zealand.
Abstract: This review outlines the processes followed by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) when developing its Thoroughbred Welfare Assessment Guidelines. It accepted that guidance on welfare management must be based on up-to-date knowledge of how animal welfare is understood scientifically. NZTR established an expert panel to facilitate this process. First, major changes in animal welfare science thinking over the last 40 years were considered. For example, the separate biological function and affective state orientations were later accepted as dynamically interacting elements within the body operating as an integrated whole entity; conceptual problems with the Five Freedoms framework led to the formulation of the Five Provisions and Welfare Aims paradigm and development of the Five Domains Model for assessing nutritional, environmental, health, behavioural and mental facets of animal welfare; and the initial major focus on negative experiences evolved to include both negative and positive experiences. The Five Domains Model was very effective for illustrating up-to-date understanding of animal welfare and its use demonstrated how comprehensive animal welfare assessments may be conducted. The NZTR panel followed a sequential approach that included an update on animal welfare thinking and the Five Provisions and Welfare Aims paradigm; the generic Five Domains Model was refocused specifically on equids; a detailed model assessment of equine welfare practices was conducted; enhanced equine welfare practices were emphasised by comparing them to inadequate welfare practices; guidelines were framed in terms which provide domain-specific advice on provisions that achieve positive welfare; other domain-specific guidelines were focused on welfare-compromising consequences of inadequate provisions; and welfare-appropriate conditions were clarified for all stages of a Thoroughbred's life cycle (in work and rest) to facilitate exercising a life-long duty of care. Finally, the guidelines were expressed in general terms to avoid them becoming overly detailed and unwieldy. They therefore do not address specific welfare issues such as use of whips, bits, spurs and tight nosebands, however the Five Domains Model may also be used for these specific purposes. The guidelines, and the way they were formulated, provide an example of one approach which other organisations may find immediately useful, or which may stimulate them to devise their own approaches when progressing such equine welfare initiatives.
Publication Date: 2020-02-20 PubMed ID: 31973682DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2020.1715900Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article discusses the methodology adopted by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) in developing Thoroughbred Welfare Assessment Guidelines, using the Five Domains Model. The model helps in estimating various aspects of animal welfare and implementing welfare practices for Thoroughbred horses.
Process Followed by NZTR
- The NZTR established an expert panel that followed a step-by-step approach to develop Thoroughbred Welfare Assessment Guidelines.
- The first part of this process involved considering significant changes in animal welfare science over the past four decades. This also included the recognition of biological function and emotional state as interacting elements in an integrated entity.
- The conceptual issues with the Five Freedoms framework led to the evolution of the Five Provisions and Welfare Aims paradigm.
Utilisation of Five Domains Model
- The panel adopted the Five Domains Model as a tool for assessing nutritional, environmental, health, behavioural, and mental aspects of animal welfare.
- The use of this model demonstrated how comprehensive animal welfare assessments could be conducted.
- Following the general adoption of the Five Domains Model, it was specifically refocused on equines, leading to a detailed examination of equine welfare practices.
Establishing Enhanced Equine Welfare Practices
- Inadequate welfare practices were highlighted and compared to enhanced equine welfare practices.
- The guidelines were designed to provide specific advice on provisions that boost positive welfare.
- Additional domain-specific guidelines targeted the welfare-compromising consequences of insufficient provisions.
Life-Long Care of Thoroughbreds
- The welfare-appropriate conditions, suitable for all stages of a Thoroughbred’s life cycle (both in work and rest), were clarified to facilitate the exercise of a life-long duty of care.
- The guidelines were articulated in general terms to prevent them from becoming excessively detailed and unwieldy. This allows for their application even to specific welfare issues, such as the use of whips, bits, spurs, and tight nosebands.
Potential Applications of the Guidelines
- The guidelines and formulation method provide a useful example for other organizations seeking to implement or improve equine welfare initiatives.
- Moreover, these guidelines could also stimulate organizations to devise their own approaches for the same objective.
Cite This Article
APA
Mellor DJ, Burns M.
(2020).
Using the Five Domains Model to develop welfare assessment guidelines for Thoroughbred horses in New Zealand.
N Z Vet J, 68(3), 150-156.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2020.1715900 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre, School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
- New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, Wellington, New Zealand.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Husbandry / methods
- Animal Husbandry / standards
- Animal Welfare / standards
- Animals
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Guidelines as Topic
- Horses
- Humans
- New Zealand
Citations
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