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
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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
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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
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Horse SA (2018). The Five Domains Model (PDF 374KB)
Links to other resources
- Animal Welfare Indicators Repository - Brooke
- Equitation Science International
- Fédération Équestre Internationale