Further information

For more information on horse welfare, consult the following articles on the RSPCA Knowledgebase : 

 

 National Horse Identification and Traceability – Information Paper (Aug 2022) 

 How would a national identification registry help improve horse welfare? 

 What is the RSPCA’s view on the use of tongue ties in horse racing? 

 What are the animal welfare issues with Thoroughbred horse racing? 

 Should I stable my horse? 

 Do I need to rug my horse? 

 What are the welfare concerns associated with the use of bits and tie-downs in riding horses? 

 What is a restrictive noseband and how does it harm horses? 

 RSPCA Policy C04 Animals in Competitive Events 

 

 Further reading 

 

 Bergmann IM (2020). Naturalness and the Legitimacy of Thoroughbred Racing: A Photo-Elicitation Study with Industry and Animal Advocacy Informants. Animals 10(9):1513. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10091513 

 Campbell MLH (2021). An Ethical Framework for the Use of Horses in Competitive Sport: Theory and Function. Animals 11(6):1725. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11061725 

 Dyson S (2022). The Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram . Equine Vet Educ, 34: 372-380. https://doi.org/10.1111/eve.13468 

 Fenner K (2016). The Effect of Noseband Tightening on Horses’ Behavior, Eye Temperature, and Cardiac Responses. PLoS ONE 11(5): e0154179. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0154179 

 Furtado T (2021). How Happy Are Equine Athletes? Stakeholder Perceptions of Equine Welfare Issues Associated with Equestrian Sport. Animals 11(11):3228. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11113228 

 Harvey AM (2022). Review of the Foundational Knowledge Required for Assessing Horse Welfare. Animals 12(23):3385. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12233385 

 Holmes TQ (2022). Champing at the Bit for Improvements: A Review of Equine Welfare in Equestrian Sports in the United Kingdom. Animals 12(9):1186. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12091186 

 Luke K (2022). A new approach to horse welfare based on systems thinking. Animal Welfare 31(1):37-49. doi:10.7120/09627286.31.1.004 

 Luke K (2022). New insights into ridden horse behaviour, horse welfare and horse-related safety. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 246, 105539.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105539 

 Mactaggart AG (2023). Validating a Thoroughbred Racehorse Welfare Index through Horse Behaviour and Trainers’ Reports of Welfare Issues in Their Horses. Animals 13(2):282. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13020282 

 McGreevy P (2018). Using the Five Domains Model to Assess the Adverse Impacts of Husbandry, Veterinary, and Equitation Interventions on Horse Welfare. Animals 8(3):41. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani8030041 

 Mellor DJ (2017). Equine Welfare during Exercise: An Evaluation of Breathing, Breathlessness and Bridles. Animals 7(6):41. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani7060041 

 Mellor DJ (2020). The 2020 Five Domains Model: Including Human–Animal Interactions in Assessments of Animal Welfare. Animals 10(10):1870. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10101870 

 Raw Z (2020). Equid Assessment, Research and Scoping (EARS): The Development and Implementation of a New Equid Welfare Assessment and Monitoring Tool. Animals 10(2):297. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10020297 

 

 Rogers S (2022). Perceptions of Fear and Anxiety in Horses as Reported in Interviews with Equine Behaviourists. Animals 12(21):2904. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12212904 

 

 Stallones L (2023). Sustainability and the Thoroughbred Breeding and Racing Industries: An Enhanced One Welfare Perspective. Animals 13(3):490. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13030490 

 Weller D (2021). The Reported Use of Tongue-Ties and Nosebands in Thoroughbred and Standardbred Horse Racing—A Pilot Study. Animals 11(3):622. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030622 

 

 Wolframm IA (2023). Changing Hearts and Minds in the Equestrian World One Behaviour at a Time. Animals 13(4):748. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040748 

 

 

 Horse SA (2018).  The Five Domains Model (PDF 374KB) 

 

 

 Links to other resources 

 

 Animal Welfare Indicators Repository - Brooke 

 Equitation Science International 

 Fédération Équestre Internationale 

 

 Science Update 

 

 More information about the RSPCA Australia Science Update newsletter 

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