Horse welfare research in the spotlight

International research delving into horse welfare topics has been brought to New Zealand, as researchers from Companion Animals New Zealand collaborate with international institutions on hot topics such as the use of horses in sport and identifying horse emotions. 

Companion Animals New Zealand is committed to promoting a Good Life for Animals. We invest in research and behaviour change initiatives to improve understanding of animal emotions and share evidence-based knowledge with pet owners and those caring for animals. 

To achieve this, the charity carries out its own research, as well as collaborating with a number of international animal welfare research teams. 

Professor Nat Waran, Director for A Good Life for Animals Centre at Companion Animals NZ, is an internationally recognised animal behaviour and welfare scientist and her work towards improving equine welfare has been extensive. She says working with a global network of animal welfare scientists is vital because it fosters an interchange of diverse perspectives and international comparisons, helping us stay at the forefront of animal welfare advancements and knowledge here in New Zealand.  

“International research collaborations are important for assisting with Companion Animals NZ’s work because they allow us to tap into global expertise and cutting-edge knowledge. By working with world-leading researchers, we can bring valuable insights back to New Zealand and apply them through a local lens, ultimately improving the welfare of our animals here at home.”

— Professor Nat Waran

Horses in sport 

Companion Animal’s New Zealand’s collaboration on equine welfare research projects involves researchers from various countries including; Sweden, UK, Denmark, Brazil and Australia. One of these is a study considering public opinion regarding the use of horses in sport.  It asks about what equestrian events people have watched and/or attended.

It’s being conducted by Pamela Spisak, a MSc Equine Science student at The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh.  Pamela is co-supervised Professor Nat Waran, (the A Good Life for Animals Director for Companion Animals New NZ). Information from the work will help add to our understanding of the current level of interest and opinions regarding horse use in sport, of both the general public and those involved in the horse world. CANZ looks forward to reporting on the results once the student has completed the work. 

 This survey is open until 1 November: Public Opinion of Equestrian Sport (jisc.ac.uk)  

 Horse emotions 

Another international equine welfare study we are involved in aims to improve owner knowledge about how horses express emotions. An international animal welfare science team, including Prof Nat Waran, is exploring how horses express their emotions in ANTICIPATION of different handling situations. Reseachers are interested in if they see these events as positive or negative, how intense their feelings are (calm, excited, or somewhere in between), and the various behaviours/facialand body movements horses exhibit to express their emotional state.  

  Participants are asked to spend 25 minutes watching some short video clips and providing their insights. These videos feature horses trained to anticipate four specific human interactions, each designed to evoke different emotional responses. 

 This survey is open until 10 November: https://www.slu.se/globalassets/ew/horses-emotions.html   

 More to come 

Equine welfare studies such as these are crucial because they help capture public and equestrian opinions, attitudes, and experiences, providing valuable insights into how various parts of society view the way horses are managed in different environments and used for different purposes. The results gained from our international equine welfare work will help inform welfare standards, influence policy decisions, and guide best practices to ensure that horses are cared for in ways that prioritise their health, happiness, and wellbeing, with the aim of providing a Good Life for all equids wherever they may live.  

Charity to hold national events to safeguard New Zealand’s horse population

EQuiChip® is a community event involving microchipping and registering horses on a national database, helping protect equine welfare in New Zealand through positive identification.  

Founded by Companion Animals New Zealand in 2023 following the catastrophic events of Cyclone Gabrielle, EQuiChip® was first held in the Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa communities with more than 200 horses microchipped and registered.  Last year's weather events saw a heightened awareness of the need to identify all companion animals – including horses – and take proactive measures in preparing for unforeseen circumstances such as national disasters, biosecurity threats, or theft.  

Six EQuiChip® events will be held this year between May and November in Taupō, Cambridge, North Auckland, West Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch – with the first in Taupō on 26 May. The 2024 series aims to microchip and register between 400 and 500 horses.  

Professor Nat Waran, Director at Companion Animals New Zealand, says the return for a second year of events marks a pivotal moment for horse welfare in New Zealand. 

“Microchipping is an inexpensive and permanent method for identifying animals and is common practice in New Zealand for cats and dogs,” says Professor Waran. “What we are keen to promote is that equine microchipping and registration is also essential for identifying and safeguarding New Zealand's horse population. We are seeing a greater recognition among horse owners, and equine industry bodies alike, of the need for permanent identification and traceability – for not only reuniting animals with their owners when lost, but also mitigating biosecurity risks and the aftereffects of national emergencies. This improves welfare outcomes for animals and their owners.

“The latest microchips can even measure a horse's temperature at the chip implantation site, offering a safe and quick alternative to traditional methods.” 

Events will occur primarily on Saturdays or Sundays and are managed by Companion Animals New Zealand in partnership with local veterinarians, equine organisations and volunteers. The cost for horse owners will be minimal compared to regular microchipping costs, encouraging as many horse owners to come along and ensure their animal is easily identifiable now and into the future.  

The process, akin to a routine vaccination, involves the insertion of a microchip the size of a grain of rice, into the horse's neck by a veterinary professional. The microchip number is then linked to the horse and owner details on the New Zealand Companion Animal Register. Approved Users (vets, SPCA, animal control officers etc.) carrying universal scanners can easily read the chips, aiding in swift identification and contact with the registered horse owners/guardian’s details associated with the horse – even in emergencies. Animals that are registered have been found to be three times more likely to be reunited with their owners.  

“While Companion Animals New Zealand facilitates the creation of the events, we are an animal welfare charity and we rely on generous sponsors, the local equine community and veterinary clinics to deliver them,” continues Professor Waran.  “EQuiChip® is a testament to collective efforts towards ensuring the well-being and safety of horses across New Zealand. We hope many more areas will opt to host their own event and reach out to us to be guided on how to do so!” 

For further information, event bookings, and queries about hosting an event, please visit www.companionanimals.nz.  

Video: Professor Nat Waran on her work with International Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission

At the recent International Society for Equitation Science (ISES) conference at Cambridge, New Zealand, in March 2024, Professor Nat Waran from Companion Animals New Zealand spoke about the work she led in developing a proposed welfare strategy with a new vision of a Good Life for Horses in Sport.

As Chair of the independent Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission set up in June 2022 by the FEI (the international governing body of equestrian sports), Nat led the 10-person Commission who were tasked with developing a final report with recommendations to safeguard equine welfare and the future involvement of horses in sport.

Watch her summary of this work in the following video.