Addressing the most important topic in the horse industry
Equine welfare has always been a concern in our industry, but recent years have seen it move from a peripheral to the foremost consideration in our sport. As awareness of equine welfare has grown, people are not only being called out for incidents of abuse but also for poor management of the horses in their care. Here at HQ, we’re delighted with this change and look forward to seeing improvements in horse management, care and treatment in the coming years. We believe these changes are necessary and cannot come soon enough to protect the animals we love so much from mistreatment at the hands of those who don’t know better or, worse still, know better and refuse to change.
Our series
Social media is abuzz with talk of the five domains of equine welfare, social license to operate, and the Ten Training Principles of the International Society for Equitation Science (ISES), but how much do we actually understand these governing frameworks, and what can we all learn from them in terms of our own horses and riding?
Over the next few months, HQ will examine some of the evidence-based research on equine welfare to educate us all on how to optimise our horses’ health and happiness.
We can’t wait to share this research with you and would love for you to share your welfare-related questions with us so we can all learn how to create the best lives possible for our equine companions.
The Five Domains of Equine Welfare
Our starting point for this new series is the Five Domains of Equine Welfare. Although many of us are familiar with this basic model, it still provides a valuable and holistic guide for our exploration of this topic.
The Five Domains Model is a framework that was originally developed to assess animal welfare, including that of horses. It expands on the traditional ‘Five Freedoms’ model by providing a more nuanced approach to evaluating and improving animal welfare by considering both physical and mental states. Here’s a breakdown of each domain in the context of horse welfare:
Domain 1: Nutrition
This domain focuses on the horse’s access to fresh water and a diet that ensures their physical and mental wellbeing. It involves providing appropriate and adequate feed that suits the horse’s specific nutritional needs, taking into account factors like age, weight, activity level, and health status.
Domain 2: Environment
This domain addresses the horse’s environment, emphasising the need for appropriate shelter and a comfortable resting area. It encompasses the management of bedding, stable conditions, and paddocks to ensure that horses are protected from harsh weather and that their living conditions are safe, clean, and allow for natural behaviours.
Domain 3: Health
Preventative measures, rapid diagnosis, and treatment are key aspects of this domain. It includes regular veterinary care, effective parasite management, vaccinations, and appropriate medication use. Attention to hoof care, dental care, and grooming also fall under this domain to prevent pain or disease.
Domain 4: Behavioural Interactions
This domain emphasises the importance of providing sufficient space, proper facilities, and the company of the animal’s own kind to enable horses to engage in natural behaviours. This includes grazing, social interactions with other horses, and sufficient physical exercise to promote mental wellbeing.
Domain 5: Mental State
This domain acknowledges the horse’s mental experiences, aiming to minimise conditions that induce mental suffering, such as fear, distress, and chronic stress. It involves gentle handling practices and training methods that consider the horse’s cognitive and emotional states. Ensuring a predictable and calm environment can also help stabilise the horse’s mental health.
By addressing each of these five domains, we can provide a holistic approach to horse welfare that promotes not just physical health, but also psychological wellbeing.
Next time
Stay tuned for our next edition, in which we will examine the Ten Training Principles of ISES.
