Abstract

Simple SummaryVeterinary students often lack previous experience in handling horses and other large animals. This article discusses the challenges of using horses for veterinary teaching purposes and the potential consequences to student and equine welfare. The article proposes a conceptual model to optimise equine welfare, and subsequently student safety, during practical equine handling classes.Students enrolled in veterinary degrees often come from an urban background with little previous experience in handling horses and other large animals. Many veterinary degree programmes place importance on the teaching of appropriate equine handling skills, yet within the literature it is commonly reported that time allocated for practical classes often suffers due to time constraint pressure from other elements of the curriculum. The effect of this pressure on animal handling teaching time is reflected in the self-reported low level of animal handling competency, particularly equine, in students with limited prior experience with horses. This is a concern as a naive student is potentially at higher risk of injury to themselves when interacting with horses. Additionally, a naive student with limited understanding of equine behaviour may, through inconsistent or improper handling, increase the anxiety and compromise the welfare of these horses. There is a lack of literature investigating the welfare of horses in university teaching facilities, appropriate handling procedures, and student safety. This article focuses on the importance for students to be able to interpret equine behaviour and the potential consequences of poor handling skills to equine and student welfare. Lastly, the authors suggest a conceptual model to optimise equine welfare, and subsequently student safety, during practical equine handling classes.

Highlights

  • Since the Classical Greek period, equitation has often been considered an art [1]

  • Inexperience and inattention was cited by students as being responsible for 39% and 30% of accidents, respectively [24]. These results further suggest a lack of experience or ability to observe and rapidly respond to behavioural cues displayed by the horse

  • It is presumable that there are inconsistencies in the way horses are handled by veterinary students, which could lead to increased arousal levels and anxiety and compromised welfare in these horses

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Summary

Introduction

Since the Classical Greek period, equitation has often been considered an art [1] This romantic cultural perception of horse riding can, conflict with the practical considerations of risk [2]. It has been proposed that the risk of injuries may be higher amongst people with low levels of knowledge of horse behaviour, as they may not be able to anticipate unwanted, but natural, equine behaviours [2]. Animals 2016, 6, 69 take place during activities other than riding [9], it is likely that veterinary and animal science students may be a high risk group. Often these students handle horses with little previous experience and understanding of horse behaviour. The paper will discuss the importance of students to be able to interpret equine behaviour and arousal levels and the potential consequences to student and equine welfare when this ability is lacking

Equine Handling Classes
Is a Naive Handler at a Higher Risk of Injury?
The Welfare of Animals Used in Teaching
Optimising Welfare in a Teaching Environment
Preventing Horse Isolation
Inherent Characteristics of Horses and Humans
Actions Points and Empirical Validation of the Model
Findings
Conclusions

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