Expert blog: Professor Nat Waran
The field of Animal Welfare Science took a big step forward with the unveiling of the 'Brambell Report' in the UK in 1965. This report, along with the establishment of the UK Farm Animal Welfare Council and the inception of the 'Five Freedoms,' marked the birth of a new era in animal welfare. Professor Brambell emphasised the importance of understanding animal ethology and acknowledging the emotional experiences of animals in assessing their welfare.
Fast forward to today, and the conversation surrounding animal welfare has evolved significantly. Alongside scientific developments, there's a growing public concern regarding the treatment and use of animals, including horses. While horses hold a unique position between pets and production animals, their welfare often receives less attention, especially in recreational and sporting contexts.
Horse welfare under the spotlight
In recent years, increased public awareness and access to information, thanks to the internet and social media, have placed horse welfare under closer scrutiny. There's a rising expectation for equine sports and activities to prioritise the well-being of horses, ensuring they lead fulfilling lives.
Understanding equine emotions poses a significant challenge. While horse owners often attribute emotions to their animals, these interpretations can be subjective and anthropomorphic (described or thought of as having a human form or human attributes). Misreading or ignoring a horse's emotional state can have detrimental effects on both the horse and the human involved.
The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has emphasised the importance of a "happy equine athlete," but determining a horse's happiness is complex. Absence of certain behaviors, like tail swishing or teeth grinding, is not sufficient evidence of a positive emotional state. Measuring and interpreting animal emotions requires robust, evidence-based methods, which is particularly challenging given that animals cannot self-report their feelings.
Pairing observation with science
While horse owner observations are valuable, they come with limitations. Owners may struggle to remain objective due to their emotional attachment and vested interests. Objective assessments of equine quality of life demand evidence-based methodologies that consider both positive and negative emotional states.
Developing such methodologies involves exploring horses' preferences and behavioral expressions under various circumstances. Behavioral tests and qualitative assessments offer promising avenues for understanding equine emotions and well-being. However, funding for equine behavioral research remains a challenge, with horses often being a low priority compared to other animals.
Despite these challenges, there's a collective aspiration to provide horses with a good life. Recognising and rewarding practices that prioritise positive emotional states in horses could transform training and competition across disciplines, ultimately benefiting both horses and humans alike. As we continue to unlock the secrets of equine welfare, the journey towards ensuring horses lead fulfilling lives remains ongoing.
At Companion Animals New Zealand, we’re excited to lead more initiatives and research about this subject as part of our A Good Life for Animals Centre. Our activity includes leading the development of research to discover indicators of equine emotion and develop effective human behaviour change approaches, as well as delivering education opportunities via conference and presentations. Some examples include:
Collaborating with two international teams:
developing robust indicators of positive emotions in horses with support from the Hong Kong Jockey Club, and
Working with the Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development (FORMAS) on ‘How to facilitate Human Behaviour Change regarding equine welfare'
Taking part in a new research collaboration with a team in Brazil to use AI to develop improved ability to recognise signs of positive and negative emotions in horses when they are being ridden.
Driving the change via involvement with International Federations responsible for equine welfare – Chairing the Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission and producing a report proposing A Good Life for Horses
Organising the international Society for Equitation Science Conference in NZ -with the theme of A Good Life for Horses
Chairing a new Eurogroup for Animal Welfare –Policy Development Committee to produce a White paper – a comprehensive document describing equine welfare needs for a Good Life for all horses.
Today, the discourse on animal welfare concerning horses, has expanded significantly and we're excited to spearhead initiatives and research endeavors in New Zealand and with organisation overseas aimed at advancing equine welfare.
Professor Nat Waran BSc (Hons), PhD (Cantab)
Director - A Good Life for Animals Centre
