Show Horse Welfare: Horse Show Competitors' Understanding, Awareness, and Perceptions of Equine Welfare

The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of stock-type horse show competitors' understanding of welfare and level of concern for stock-type show horses' welfare. Data were collected through an online questionnaire that included questions relating to (a) interest and gen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied animal welfare science 2016-10, Vol.19 (4), p.335-352
Main Authors: Voigt, Melissa A., Hiney, Kristina, Richardson, Jennifer C., Waite, Karen, Borron, Abigail, Brady, Colleen M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Animal care
Animal Husbandry - methods
Animal Husbandry - standards
Animal Welfare - standards
Animals
Behavior, Animal
Competition
Competitors
Empathy
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
horse
Horse shows
Horses
Horses - physiology
Horses - psychology
Humans
Internet
Male
Middle Aged
Perceptions
Stakeholders
stock-type
Surveys and Questionnaires
welfare
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Summary:The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of stock-type horse show competitors' understanding of welfare and level of concern for stock-type show horses' welfare. Data were collected through an online questionnaire that included questions relating to (a) interest and general understanding of horse welfare, (b) welfare concerns of the horse show industry and specifically the stock-type horse show industry, (c) decision-making influences, and (d) level of empathic characteristics. The majority of respondents indicated they agree or strongly agree that physical metrics should be a factor when assessing horse welfare, while fewer agreed that behavioral and mental metrics should be a factor. Respondent empathy levels were moderate to high and were positively correlated with the belief that mental and behavioral metrics should be a factor in assessing horse welfare. Respondents indicated the inhumane practices that most often occur at stock-type shows include excessive jerking on reins, excessive spurring, and induced excessive unnatural movement. Additionally, respondents indicated association rules, hired trainers, and hired riding instructors are the most influential regarding the decisions they make related to their horses' care and treatment.
ISSN:1088-8705
1532-7604
DOI:10.1080/10888705.2016.1152190