Horse Welfare Research Articles

Influence of Loading Density and Gender on the Welfare and Meat Quality of Horses During Transport for Slaughter

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of loading density and gender on blood welfare indicators, carcass bruises and horsemeat quality. Data were collected from twelve transports of 89 slaughter horses originating from the same collection centre. The transportation of slaughter horses at high loading densities (>200 kg/m2), especially stallions, resulted in increased levels of lactate (p = 0.021), glucose (p < 0.0001), ceruloplasmin (p < 0.0001) and AOPP (p < 0.0001), but lower GSH levels (p < 0.0001). Compared to stallions and mares, geldings subjected to high loading density (>200 kg/m2) during transport had lower levels of the aforementioned blood metabolites. In addition, stallions exposed to a high load density (>200 kg/m2) had the highest frequency of severe (p = 0.0002), large (p < 0.0001) and circular (p = 0.0001) carcass bruises, which were predominantly located on the abdominal (p = 0.0056) and thoracic (p = 0.0004) wall. In contrast, a higher percentage (p < 0.0001) of undamaged carcasses was found in slaughter horses exposed to a low loading density (≤200 kg/m2) during transport. Stallions exposed to high loading densities (>200 kg/m2) during transport had the highest initial pH (p < 0.0001) and ultimate pH (p = 0.005) in terms of m. longissimus lumborum and redness (p = 0.017), but the lowest drip loss (p = 0.050) and lightness (p < 0.0001), which, consequently, led to the highest (p = 0.0045) proportion of DFD-like defects in the meat quality. In conclusion, the results of this study showed that high loading densities (>200 kg/m2), regardless of gender, negatively affect horse welfare during transport. In addition, stallions were more sensitive to poor pre-slaughter conditions and produced the lowest meat quality, while geldings were the most resistant. To determine the optimal transport density, further research is needed to determine the effects of different loading densities on the behaviour, physiology, carcass and meat quality of slaughter horses.

Autonomic regulation in athletic horses repetitively participating in two novice jumping classes on consecutive days

IntroductionAnimal welfare is of great concern in equestrian sports and has been evaluated in athletic horses competing at different levels. However, the impact of consecutive days of jumping competition and the extent of resultant stress responses remains unclear. To address this point, the present study compared the changes in stress response via heart rate variability (HRV) in horses participating in two national jumping events on consecutive days.MethodsThe study involved six experienced horses equipped with heart rate monitoring devices. HRV variables were measured before, during, and after jumping at 10-min intervals for 60 min on each competition day.ResultsMultiple HRV variables decreased to varying degrees on both days from warm-up until 30 min post-jumping. Meanwhile, the mean heart rate increased during jumping and returned to normal levels at 50 min post-jumping on the first day (for all intervals, p < 0.05–0.001), while it remained elevated beyond 60 min post-jumping on the second day (for all intervals, p < 0.01–0.001). Additionally, maximum heart rate and respiratory rate were higher on the second day than in the first round during the warm-up phase (p < 0.05 for both variables). The proportion of the HRV low-frequency band was higher during riding on the second day (p < 0.05), while the proportion of the high-frequency band was reduced during warm-up on the first day (p < 0.05) and during course riding on the second (p < 0.01). Meanwhile, the sympathetic nervous system index took longer to return to baseline on the second day than on the first.DiscussionThese results suggest that autonomic regulation differed in horses between jumping rounds on two consecutive days, with horses experiencing higher sympathetic activity and potentially increased stress in the second round. This information is important for riders, highlighting the need to be mindful of potential stress that could, at least in part, impact the welfare of horses participating in the same jumping competition on consecutive days.

Working horse welfare in Senegal is linked to owner's socioeconomic status, their attitudes and belief in horse sentience.

The role that working equids play in both rural and urban communities in low and middle-income countries is invaluable. They contribute to daily tasks such as carrying food, water and people, support income generation, and are of social and cultural importance. Despite their importance, global standards of working equid welfare are low. Many variables can impact the welfare status of animals under human care, but often specific factors are explored in isolation. Factors can include, but are not limited to an owner's socioeconomic status and their attitudes and beliefs towards animals. In this study we assessed the relationships between 1.) Attitudes and belief in horse sentience, 2.) Owner's socioeconomic status (including household income, coverage of needs and education) and 3.) Horse welfare status. The study, consisting of an owner questionnaire and a welfare assessment of their horses, was conducted in three regions in Senegal; participants included 299 owners and their horses. Overall, our findings show that a more positive attitude towards horses, stronger belief in horse sentience, a higher standard of living and a greater ability to cover the needs of the household was associated with more positive horse welfare. A stronger belief in horse sentience was a significant predictor of horse's body condition, larger households and those with a higher income were more likely to own a horse in good general health. Our findings demonstrate a complex relationship between working horse welfare, their owner's attitudes, and their socioeconomic status. It is the first study we are aware of that has explored the relationships between these different variables. The findings from this study provide valuable insights into the interconnected factors which impact upon working equid welfare in Senegal and potentially more widely.

Stress levels, hematological condition, and productivity of plasma-producing horses used for snake antivenom manufacture: A comparison of two industrial bleeding methods

The immunization and industrial bleeding of horses are essential stages for producing snake antivenoms. In Costa Rica, the traditional method involves stimulating the antibody response of horses by periodically injecting venoms, collecting hyperimmune plasma over three consecutive bleeding days, and repeating this process every eight weeks. While this method does not cause major physical or hematological issues in horses, the associated stress has not been evaluated. We compared this traditional method with an alternative method that involves injecting venoms, collecting hyperimmune plasma in a single bleeding day, and repeating the process every two weeks. We assessed stress (via serum and fecal cortisol levels and an ethological study), hematological parameters (hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration), and plasma productivity over eight months. Serum cortisol levels remained within the normal range for both methods throughout the immunization/bleeding cycle. However, serum and fecal cortisol levels were significantly higher in horses subjected to the traditional method compared to those in the alternative method. Neither method caused significant hematological alterations. Notably, the alternative method yielded a higher volume of plasma. We concluded that adopting the alternative method ensures horse welfare while improving industrial bleeding productivity. This approach may reduce costs and improve the availability of this essential treatment for vulnerable populations.

Networked Wearable Sensors for Monitoring Health and Activities of an Equine Herd: An IoT Approach to Improve Horse Welfare

Networked Wearable Sensors for Monitoring Health and Activities of an Equine Herd: An IoT Approach to Improve Horse Welfare

Oral behaviour during riding is associated with oral lesions in dressage horses – A field study

The welfare of sports horses is debated both within and outside the horse community. One welfare concern is the frequent occurrence of oral lesions. Lesions may be caused by inappropriate training and ill-fitting equipment. Increased knowledge of behavioural signs of pain, discomfort and frustration (often jointly labelled ‘conflict behaviour’) in horses can increase awareness by riders, trainers, officials, and competition judges, which is a first step towards reducing the occurrence. This study included 11 warmblood dressage horses competing at upper national level (Intermediaire I). The horses were randomly selected (from a total of 22 horses) for an unannounced inspection for oral lesions immediately after leaving the dressage arena. Five of the 11 horses had abrasion of the skin and/or mucosa at one or both commissures of the lips and were eliminated from the competition according to the rules of the national equestrian federation. An experienced observer who was blind regarding the outcome of the inspection, scored behaviour in the 11 horses from official video recordings available online from the event. The frequency of mouth opening ranged from 5 to 59 times in the 11 horses. Horses with oral lesions had a significantly higher frequency of mouth opening compared to horses without oral lesions (t-test, mean ±SEM; lesions: 34.6 ±6.7 vs. no lesions: 12.2 ±2.4, t(9) = 3.4, P = 0.008). The frequency of other conflict behaviours did not differ significantly between the groups (e.g. tail swishing: MWU-test, median [25;75 %]; lesions: 25 [14;27] vs. no lesions: 10 [6,24], U = 7.0, P = 0.18). It is concluded that oral behaviour may be a useful indicator of oral lesions. Further studies are needed to investigate behavioural signs of discomfort and pain in riding horses, as behaviour can be an early predictor of compromised welfare. Increased awareness of subtle behavioural signs is therefore an important first step towards improved sports horse welfare.

“Straight from the Horse’s Mouth”: Equine-Assisted Services Curriculum Development Using Industry-Based Survey Assessment of Horse Welfare and Healthcare Management Practices

Equine-assisted services (EAS) is a relatively new area of study within higher education requiring the development of a curriculum that best prepares the undergraduate student for the demands of the industry. Further, coursework targeting the specific management challenges for ensuring the welfare of horses utilized within EAS is limited. Therefore, the objective of this study was to apply an industry-based survey assessment utilizing EAS professionals within the United States to document management practices associated with healthcare and pain management challenges in the EAS horse. Suggested curriculum for undergraduate students targeting a career in EAS is given, utilizing data collected from the survey. Participant responses (n = 30) indicated that all of the surveyed facilities cared for more than three geriatric horses within their program, with the majority (60% responding “definitely yes”) utilizing regularly functionally lame horses, although the prevalence of lameness was not correlated with number of geriatric horses within a program (0.20, p = 0.22). While lameness is a common healthcare challenge within EAS, gastrointestinal conditions (73%) were one of the other leading health concerns for these facilities. The most common equine pain detection method for EAS facilities was behavior assessment (93%), in which this method was positively correlated with years of horse experience (0.51, p = 0.01). Horse pain was primarily managed through annual alternative therapeutic interventions (76%), daily prescriptions (73%), and nutritional supplements (73%). As such, the curriculum for undergraduate EAS degree programs should cover healthcare practices targeting geriatric horse management and associated health issues such as gastrointestinal conditions and lameness, including early detection and pharmaceutical, nutritional, and alternative therapeutic treatments.

Characteristics of equestrian accidents and injuries leading to permanent medical impairment

BackgroundEquestrian sports, also referred to as equestrianism, is practiced all over the world and a popular leisure activity in Sweden. Equestrianism is the country’s second-largest youth sport, and previous studies indicate that accidents are common in equestrianism. However, few previous studies have examined acute equestrian injuries leading to permanent medical impairment (PMI).MethodsBy using nationwide insurance data comprising all injured equestrians registered in the Swedish Equestrian Federation, the aim was to analyse characteristics of equestrian accidents and particularly injuries leading to PMI, both in general and by age, gender, incident type, injury type and injured body region. Injury incidence and injuries leading to PMI were examined. All equestrians injured during 2017–2021 were included (n = 6,876), however, only injuries occurring in 2017 and 2018 were used to analyse the risk and the injury distribution of injuries leading to PMI. Injury incidence was calculated separately for males and females, as well as for different age groups, by dividing the number of insurance claims by the number of members multiplied by 1,000. Risk Ratio (RR) was calculated between gender. Pearson’s chi-squared test was used to analyse differences in distribution for categorical variables.ResultsThe majority of injuries affected females, correlating to approximately three times higher risk, compared to males. The age group 21–40 years were associated with the highest injury risk (14.26/1,000 registered riders). In total 12% of all injuries led to PMI. Injuries to the upper and lower extremities, along with fractures, had a higher risk of resulting in a PMI. The risk of injury leading to PMI was higher among riders over 20 years of age.ConclusionsThe fact that females face nearly three times the injury risk of males, and riders aged 21–40 had the highest injury risk while younger riders (Luke KL, McAdie T, Smith BP, Warren-Smith AK. New insights into ridden horse behaviour, horse welfare and horse-related safety. Appl Anim Behav Sci. 2022;246:105539.); (Havlik HS. Equestrian sport-related injuries: a review of current literature. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2010;9(5):299–302.); (Samuels K, Bettis A, Davenport DL, Bernard AC. Occupational vs. non-occupational equestrians: Differences in demographics and injury patterns. Injury. 2022;53(1):171–5.); (Gharooni A-A, Anwar F, Ramdeep R, Mee H. Severe equestrian injuries: A seven-year review of admissions to a UK major trauma centre. Trauma. 2023;25(1):41–7.); (Hasler RM, Gyssler L, Benneker L, Martinolli L, Schotzau A, Zimmermann H, et al. Protective and risk factors in amateur equestrians and description of injury patterns: A retrospective data analysis and a case - control survey. J Trauma Manag Outcomes. 2011;5:4.); (Meredith L, Brolin K, Ekman R, Thomson R. Analyses of injuries to equestrians in a Swedish district over a 16-year period. Translational Sports Med. 2019;2:270–8.) had a lower risk, indicates that preventive efforts should target both older and female riders. Injuries predominantly resulting in PMI involve upper and lower extremities, however, to prevent the most serious injuries significantly affecting a rider’s daily life, measures preventing head and spinal cord neck injuries, must be implemented. Head injures remain the most frequent, serious and most significant group of injuries to prevent and mitigate, within equestrian sports.

From Human Perception of Good Practices to Horse (Equus Caballus) Welfare: Example of Equine-Assisted Activities.

Equine-assisted intervention (EAI) studies deal with clients, whereas very few studies focused on the effects on animals. EAI equids are also submitted to management, which influences their welfare. Management and working conditions depend on human decisions and perception. We gathered information through a survey about facilities managers' strategies (n = 51) and obtained direct information on management and working practices and their consequences on equids' welfare through an observational study (n = eight facilities, 174 equids). Differences in managers' perceptions of good management practices were related to the facility's involvement in EAI, e.g., increased awareness of equids' needs (housing and feeding), especially when EAI was the main activity. A detailed observational study on eight additional facilities confirmed that. Facility management profiles were paralleled by equids' welfare profiles. Clear correlates were found between management decisions and welfare consequences. One major factor influencing welfare and human-equid interactions appeared to be working modalities, with more EAI facilities practicing groundwork and bitless work. Facilities where equids were the most involved in mixed activities had the most equids with compromised welfare. Given EAI clients' particularities, conventional working modalities are less adapted and at risk of increased discomfort for equids. Overall, survey and observational approaches converged but some discrepancies (choice of equid type) appeared between the reported and observed prevalence.

Horse Owners' Knowledge of Fundamental Care and their Perceptions on the Implementation of a Mandatory Certificate of Knowledge.

The aims of this study were to first determine the extent of owners' fundamental knowledge of equine care, second, gain their opinions on the implementation of a mandatory certificate of knowledge and third, to investigate the association of certification on horse owner knowledge. An online survey comprising 23 questions (18 closed, 5 open) was distributed worldwide via snowball sampling, and completed by 1847 horse owners who were all ≥18 years old from 17 different countries. Almost all (96%, n = 1781) completed surveys were usable. Just over half (52%) of participants held a current equine knowledge certification, and 59% believed a mandatory certificate of knowledge should be necessary to buy, own, or sell a horse. Horse owners with an equine certificate of knowledge were more likely to be in favor of a mandatory certificate (Pearson's Chi-squared = 50.79, df = 1, p < 0.0001). The mean correctly answered knowledge questions was 68%, indicating that approximately 1/3 of horse owners lacked fundamental horse care knowledge. Further examination indicated that participating horse owners showed the least understanding in the behavioral interactions domain (ANOVA F(4, 24) = 4.98, p < 0.01), specifically in relation to pain recognition and learning theory terminology. Arguably, this deficit in knowledge and likely correct application increases the risk of owners using misinformed or inappropriate techniques to manage horse behavior and training, predisposing the horse to experiencing a sub-optimal quality of life. Overall no significant difference was found between the total correct scores of horse owners with or without a certificate (ANOVA F(1, 56) = 0.78, p > 0.05); however, a series of Chi-squared tests revealed that for the more complex questions, horse owners with a certificate scored better than those without (all p < 0.05). Further work is needed to develop an evidence-based assessment framework if mandatory certification of horse owners is to become an effective tool for improving horse welfare and quality of life.

The Role of Equestrian Professionals in Saddle Fit for Horses and Riders in the United Kingdom.

The horse owner and the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) are responsible for safeguarding horse welfare by ensuring the equipment being used is correctly fitted. The aim of this study was to investigate how saddle fit is assessed, managed, and acted upon by equestrian professionals. Participants (n = 483) completed an online questionnaire, which was split into three major sections: (1) participant demographics; (2) saddle fit for the horse; and (3) saddle fit for the rider. Descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Wallis, and univariable and multivariable analyses were performed (p < 0.05). Inductive content analysis identified themes from open-question responses. From the UK responses (n = 377), 184 saddle fitters, 77 therapists, and 116 coaches completed the survey. Compared to coaches, saddle fitters and therapists asked more frequently when their clients last had their saddle fitted (p = 0.0004). Saddle fitters typically assessed the saddle statically and dynamically vs. therapists, where it was dependent on the circumstances of the assessment (p = 0.0004). Saddle fitters experienced the saddle being out of balance more than therapists (p = 0.032) and made more alterations to the saddle than therapists and coaches (p = 0.0004). This study highlights opportunities for professions within the MDT to better support each other and horseowners to achieve improvements in overall fit for horses and riders.

Horse Sector Participants' Attitudes towards Anthropomorphism and Animal Welfare and Wellbeing.

Anthropomorphizing can misinform the making of inferences about animal mental experiences. This is a consideration when implementing the Five Domains Model for animal welfare assessment. An online survey run in 2021 captured horse sector participants' perspectives about anthropomorphism and wellbeing in relation to horses. Most respondents, 82.9% (n = 431/520), believed that anthropomorphism could influence horse welfare and wellbeing. These respondents were then asked how, in their opinion, anthropomorphism might relate to horse welfare. A thematic analysis identified two themes: (1) 'Anthropomorphism can influence how people relate to horses' and (2) 'Anthropomorphism can have consequences for horse welfare and wellbeing'. The results suggested that experienced respondents were aware of the complexities surrounding anthropomorphic attitudes and that anthropomorphism can have beneficial and detrimental consequences on horse welfare and wellbeing. Benefits include a sense of relatedness to a horse, while detriments include the potential to misinterpret horse behaviors. The authors propose that anthropomorphism has a place in horse welfare and wellbeing when used critically and with caution. This study recommends that there is a need to actively manage anthropomorphism when organizations update policies and practices and implement the Five Domains Model. More research is required to understand the effects of anthropomorphism on horse-related practices.

Digital video analysis reveals gait parameters that predict performance in the jumping test phase of three-day eventing

In international equestrian sport, visual inspections assess gait and lameness to protect the welfare of performance horses during competition. Horses competing internationally in three-day eventing must pass two mandatory inspections (pre-competition and post-cross country) before attempting the final phase: the jumping test (JT). We hypothesized that digitally quantifying objective gait parameters captured during the two mandatory inspections will identify locomotor characteristics that predict success during the jumping test. Utilizing the DeepLabCut (DLC) software package for labeling of anatomical landmarks and a custom analysis pipeline we calculated gait parameters for 194 competition horses at the trot. During the pre-competition inspection, relative trot speed was significantly associated (P = 0.0060, GLMM), and the forelimb travel trended towards significance (P =0.0800, GLMM), with achieving a clear round in the later jumping test. Post-cross country, the forelimb travel significantly predicted JT results (P = 0.0188, GLMM). As our parameters are scaled for body size, these parameters may indicate conformational characteristics for superior jumping ability and overall athletic fitness. Within each competitive effort, comparisons of the post-cross country and pre-competition observations revealed that the change in speed and duty factor were significantly different in the group that accrued jumping faults (P = 0.00376 and P = 0.02430, GLMM), perhaps capturing locomotor signs of exercise fatigue. Further work employing these approaches to better understand competition performance will encourage the use of objective measures to protect sport horse welfare, as well as provide an advantageous tool for gait evaluation in the horse.

Assessing the Peripheral Levels of the Neurotransmitters Noradrenaline, Dopamine and Serotonin and the Oxidant/Antioxidant Equilibrium in Circus Horses.

Due to the paucity of information on circus management effects on the welfare of horses, this study investigated the plasma concentrations of noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin, known to be indices of mental status, as well as the reactive oxygen metabolites (d-Roms) and the biological antioxidant potential (BAP), likely to denote the oxidant/antioxidant equilibrium of organisms, in horses managed in different Italian circuses. For the study, 56 circus horses of different breeds and ages were enrolled and divided into six groups according to the horses' management (circus management, groups G1-G5; classic riding management representing the control group, CG). From each horse, blood samples were collected in order to assess the concentration of selected parameters. One-way ANOVA showed no differences (p > 0.05) in serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, d-Roms and BAP values between circus and control horses. No differences related to the breed of the horses enrolled in the study were found in the values of all investigated parameters (p > 0.05). Furthermore, neurotransmitters showed overlapping levels between the different age classes of investigated horses (p > 0.05); contrariwise, the age of the horse displayed a significant effect on BAP values, with the oldest horses (16-21 age class) exhibiting lower BAP values compared to 4-5, 6-10 and 11-15 age classes (p < 0.05), whereas the d-Roms showed similar values in horses of different age classes (p > 0.05). The results gathered in the present study suggest that the mental status of horses under circus management was not compromised; however, better attention and care in the management of older horses is advocated, as they showed a lower biological antioxidant potential than younger horses; thus, they could be more susceptible to oxidative stress.

Ethical issues concerning UK veterinary surgeons practicing in equine sports medicine.

The ethics of equine sports medicine is a complex subject that is currently understudied. It combines veterinary ethics, sports ethics and associated regulation. Equine sports medicine may raise unique ethical issues and combines common ethical issues in ways distinct from other forms of veterinary medicine. The purpose of this research was to identify and describe ethical issues concerning United Kingdom (UK) veterinary surgeons arising within the practice of equine sports medicine. Survey. An online questionnaire was distributed to UK veterinary surgeons via veterinary organisations and veterinary social media. Responses to questions were collated and descriptive analysis performed. Open ended responses were analysed thematically. Ninety-seven respondents completed the questionnaire. The most commonly identified ethical challenges were the conflicts of interest and the pressures faced by the veterinary surgeon. The primary competing interest was balancing the horse's health and welfare with client wishes for the horse to continue in training and competition. Specific ethical challenges were identified; these related to competition integrity, medication control and prohibited substances, treatment evidence and acceptability, among others. As anticipated with the use of a questionnaire, the responses did not provide in-depth information about an individual veterinary surgeon's experiences, however, it did provide evidence of the extensive range of issues and concerns facing this group. There is also potential for response bias, whereby respondents may have provided answers they perceived were ethically desirable. This is the first empirical study that explores the ethical issues faced by equine sports medicine veterinary surgeons and has identified wide ranging concerns that demand further study. Areas which may pose reputational risk to equestrian sport, or the veterinary profession were identified. Governing bodies should consider how to improve support for veterinary surgeons facing ethical challenges, as for some, these cause moral distress and may impact retention within the profession.

The Most Common Environmental Risk Factors for Equine Asthma-A Narrative Review.

Equine asthma is a popular subject of research. Many factors influencing the methods used to improve the welfare of asthmatic horses remain unclear. This study reviews scientific articles published after 2000 to collect the most important information on the terminology, symptoms, and potential environmental factors influencing the development and course of equine asthma. Our work highlights the impact of environmental factors on the severity of equine asthma and why these factors should be controlled to improve treatment outcomes. The present article provides horse owners and veterinarians with valuable information on how to improve the well-being of horses that are at risk of developing asthma symptoms.

Correlation between lumbo-pelvic shock attenuation and ankle range of motion of horse riders during extended trot: a pilot study

Abstract The lumbo-pelvic hip complex (LPHC) plays a pivotal role in equestrian sports, connecting the rider’s body to the horse’s back and influencing rider-horse interaction. Achieving an ideal ‘independence of seat’ characterised by balanced, elastic, and upright posture is representative of rider expertise. While previous studies have examined aspects of rider-horse coordination, the relationship between rider ankle range of motion (ROM) and shock attenuation at the LPHC remains mostly unexplored. Eight experienced dressage dyads participated, and their ankle ROM was measured using a goniometer while accelerometers recorded saddle and rider sacrum accelerations during 20 extended sitting trot strides. A strong positive correlation (r = 0.71, ) was observed between ankle ROM and saddle-rider’s sacrum increase in shock signal strength, indicating that greater ankle ROMs correlated to worse dampening capacities of experienced riders. Ankle ROM may have implications for the rider’s and horse welfare and performance. Understanding the role of ankle mobility provides valuable insights for coaching and training programs in equestrian sports.

UK horse owners and veterinary practitioners' experiences of decision-making for critical cases of colic.

The survival of horses diagnosed with critical colic (requiring referral or euthanasia) relies on rapid and effective decision-making by the owner and veterinary practitioner. To explore UK horse owners' and veterinary practitioners' experiences of decision-making for critical cases of equine colic. Qualitative study using a phenomenological approach. Individual, semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 14 horse owners and 13 veterinary practitioners (vets) who had experienced a critical decision (referral or euthanasia) for a horse with colic. A purposive, convenience sample of participants was recruited. Sessions explored participant's experience of colic, including recognition, help-seeking behaviour, and challenges. Thematic analysis was performed on collected data. Four over-arching themes were identified; 'head', 'heart', 'practicalities' and 'impact'. Owners acknowledged responsibility for their horse's welfare but had different perspectives than vets on the importance of finance ('head'). Both vets and owners described how the horse-human relationship ('heart') often led to conflict during decision-making. The vet-client relationship was influential on decision-making for both owners and vets; involving other people in decision-making was described both positively and negatively by participants ('heart'). 'Practicalities', such as lack of preparedness, transport issues and adverse weather conditions, were identified by both owners and vets as barriers. Owners described a 'rollercoaster' of emotions after a critical decision, with profound impacts on their mental wellbeing, feelings of guilt, and long-term changes in behaviour ('impact'), and a lack of support to manage these feelings. Small sample size. This study describes stakeholder decision-making during critical cases of equine colic. Factors that commonly influenced decisions included an owner's previous knowledge and beliefs, social pressures, logistics and the relationship between the owner and vet. The study highlighted long-term impacts on the owner, including their management and decisions for subsequent horses. These factors should be considered in shared decision-making.

Welfare and stress assessment of tourism carriage horses under real working conditions in Sicily

Animal welfare has become an increasingly important concern regarding equids working as carriage animals. In the present study, the changes in the markers of stress and inflammatory responses as a result of the work performed by tourism carriage horses under real working conditions in Sicily (Italy) were investigated. Twenty-two Standardbreds performed a normal working day in the carriage tourism business during the months of May, June and July 2022, consisting of one day of work for each month. Blood samples were collected in the stables at rest before the tour route (Pre; 07.00 AM) and within 10 min after the end of the workday (Post; 05.00 PM). Haematological parameters, serum concentration of cortisol, total proteins together with the globulin fractions were investigated before and after the carriage work. Environmental temperature, relative humidity and temperature humidity index (THI) were also assessed. The direct erythrocyte indices increased after work compared to rest condition (P < 0.05). The values of cortisol, total proteins and globulins were not affected by carriage work (P > 0.05), while, higher cortisol, total proteins, α1- and α2-globulins values were observed in July compared to May and June (P < 0.05). These changes are probably due to the increase in THI values which showed mild stress in June and high stress in July. This study suggests that the tourism carriage horses herein investigated have adapted to their work activity, however, avoiding working horses during the hottest hours of the day in the summer months is advocated.

Do tight nosebands have an effect on the upper airways of horses?

The public perception relating to the welfare of horses involved with equestrian sports is associated with training methods used and the presentation of horses at events. In this context, very tight nosebands, which are intended to prevent the horse from opening its mouth, also attract a lot of attention. Various studies have evaluated the impact of tight nosebands on stress parameters, whereas the effect of tight nosebands on upper airway function is unknown. Therefore, the aim of the study was to use overground endoscopy to evaluate changes in pharyngeal and laryngeal function when a tight noseband is fitted. Moreover, the ridden horse pain ethogram (RHpE) was applied to investigate signs of discomfort (Dyson et al., 2018). A randomized, blinded, and prospective study was performed. Sixteen warmblood horses consisting of twelve mares and four geldings with a mean age of 11.63 ± 3.53 years were ridden on 2 consecutive days with either loose or tight nosebands (two fingers or no space between bridge of the nose and noseband, respectively) and inserted endoscope in a random order. Videos were taken in a riding arena during a standardized exercise protocol involving beginner level tasks for 30 min in all gaits. For video analysis, freeze frames were prepared and analyzed at the beginning of the expiration phase. Pharyngeal diameter was measured using the pharynx-epiglottis ratio. Other findings (swallowing, pharyngeal collapse, soft palate movements, and secretion) were also evaluated. Moreover, the RHpE was applied. Descriptive statistics and generalized linear mixed effects models were used. Results with a p-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. While the pharynx-epiglottis ratio did not change significantly in horses ridden with loose versus tight nosebands, there was an increase in mean grade and total counts of parameters assessed in the pharyngeal region, for example, grade of secretion (1.5 [±SD 0.89] vs. 3.13 [±SD 0.96]; p = 0.0001), axial deviation of the aryepiglottic folds (0.29 [±SD 0.73] vs. 1.33 [±SD 1.44]; p = 0.01), and pharyngeal collapse (0.69 [±SD 0.87] vs. 1.88 [±SD 1.54]; p = 0.005) in horses ridden with tight nosebands. There was no RHpE score above 8 indicating musculoskeletal pain, but the RHpE scores were significantly higher in horses ridden with tight nosebands (p < 0.001). Video quality was limited when horses showed large amounts of secretion. Another limitation was the small number of horses. Results add to the evidence obtained in other studies that tight nosebands do not only cause adverse reactions based on the RHpE score such as head behind the vertical or intense staring but also contribute to changes in the pharyngeal region, such as increased secretion and collapse of pharyngeal structures. This may provide further support for future decisions regarding regulations on nosebands.