Horse Welfare in Canada

Talking Horse Welfare in Canada: How Do We See Our Industry?

www.equineguelph.ca How would equine industry members describe the welfare status of Canadian horses? Which horses do they believe are the most at risk? And what do they believe threatens horse welfare?

These are just some of the questions a research team at the University American Association of Equine Practitioners Lameness Scale (35.6%), the of Guelph set out to answer. In 2015, Master’s student, Lindsay Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare (29.7%), and Equitation Science (20.4%). Nakonechny, with the support of supervisor Dr. Katrina Merkies Alongside examining the participants’ views on equine welfare and PhD student Cordelie DuBois, within the industry, researchers also created a survey to find out what examined what factors, such as a adult members of the Canadian person’s gender or view on their equine industry think about horse’s ability to feel emotions, horse welfare. The online survey most often affected their answers. results revealed that participants Researchers found that whether a largely agree on some of the top person considered their horse to be perceived threats to horse welfare, livestock or a companion animal, but also uncovered a few surprises. as well as what discipline they were

Almost one hundred involved in, most often influenced percent of survey participants their perception of welfare issues. agreed that there were welfare People who considered horses issues in the Canadian equine livestock, for example, were less likely industry, citing unwanted horses, to believe that horses at auction or inappropriate training methods, Photo courtesy of ReinBeau Images on feedlots were an “at risk” group. and unknowledgeable owners Additionally, eight scenarios were as some of the key issues within included in the survey, each outlining the industry. The majority of participants also highlighted ineffective a scenario in which horse welfare could be compromised. Those ranked legislation and the incapacity of law enforcement to protect horses as the most welfare-compromising involved horses being pastured without important. water during the wintertime and a horse given a sedative prior to training.

When examining which groups of horses were perceived to While participants of this survey almost unanimously indicated that they be “at risk,” however, opinions were much more divided. Welfare believed horses could feel a variety of emotional states, this belief was issues connected to auctions or feedlot horses were less divided. Horses not always reflected in their ranking of the scenarios. Several scenarios intended for slaughter and horses with owners who lack knowledge, were described situations in which horses could be suffering the effects of also suggested as affected groups by survey participants. boredom or frustration (e.g. a horse on extended stall rest), but these

Lack of knowledge continued to emerge as a re-occurring survey scenarios were not considered as welfare-compromising as others. The theme. This, along with financial difficulties was considered one of the intersection between what individuals think horses are capable of feeling biggest challenges to “good” equine welfare. This supports the need and how this translates into practice (i.e. what situations cause horses for educational programs and targeted knowledge transfer. Gayle Ecker, to feel emotions such as boredom or pain) is an interesting one, and a director of Equine Guelph could not agree more. “What this survey tells challenge to all educators looking to bridge the gap between “knowing” us is there is a need to work together with strong support from the and “understanding.” industry to extend the reach of welfare education,” says Ecker. “Improved To learn more about the survey questions, the diversity of information outreach to the industry incorporating human behaviour the survey participant’s answers, and how they related to their change approaches are vital if we are to have an impact on improving involvement in the equine industry, read the full publication: https:// equine welfare.” www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30405030.

Close to 1,000 participants from multiple disciplines across

Canada took the survey and self-identified as at least somewhat Equine Guelph is the horse owners' and care givers' Centre at the University knowledgeable regarding horse care. Of the five options regarding of Guelph in Canada. It is a unique partnership dedicated to the health and horse care knowledge, participants were most familiar with body well-being of horses, supported and overseen by equine industry groups. condition scoring (BCS; 78.6%,). Surprisingly, under 55% were aware of Equine Guelph is the epicentre for academia, industry and government - for the national document: the Canadian Code of Practice for the Care and the good of the equine industry as a whole. For further information, visit www. Handling of Equines (NFACC). Participants were even less familiar with the equineguelph.ca.