A research project aimed at enhancing equine welfare in horse breeding has found that the selection of breeding stock, management of breeding stock, and foal and youngstock management are three key welfare areas which are not designed to consider horse welfare needs holistically.
These findings came to light at the initial interview stage of the research project which is a collaboration between Hartpury University in Gloucestershire and the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) which represents 86 studbooks in 36 countries.
The aim of the project, which is entitled ‘Evidence-based recommendations for the enhancement of sports horse welfare in breeding’, is to inform the preparation of a WBFSH Welfare Charter, a series of draft Welfare Codes of Conduct and a scientific publication. It is also hoped that the project will provide recommendations for future research areas to enhance the welfare of sport horses within breeding.
The project combined consultation with industry participants with a review of the existing academic literature. Seventeen WBFSH members were interviewed to establish the key welfare considerations before a systematic review of the scientific literature based on the key themes that emerged from the interviews took place. A final series of focus groups was held with key industry stakeholders and academics to complete the research.
Work to be done
“Our research has demonstrated that welfare in horse breeding practices is still under-researched,” said Professor Jane Williams, Hartpury University’s head of research who led the research project.
“Our systematic review of the existing literature has highlighted areas where further work is needed.
“We also found that to translate our findings into improving horse welfare in practice, we need to support a strong implementation strategy that is accessible and achievable.
“We are grateful for the support from the WBFSH not only in funding this research project, but also in their unwavering commitment to ensuring its findings lead to real improvements in horse welfare worldwide.”
Committed to enhancing welfare in breeding
Findings from the project have been summarised in the WBFSH Welfare Report and WBFSH Welfare Statement.
“We are very grateful to the team at Hartpury University for their hard and groundbreaking work,” said WBFSH president Jan Pedersen.
“We are fully committed to supporting all our member studbooks and 150,000 breeders worldwide in making the best choices in breeding for welfare.
“This starts with the selection of breeding stock most likely to produce horses able to lead a long and healthy life, but it affects every aspect of our activities, from breeding techniques to ongoing management to end-of-life-care.”
The next stage of the project will see the WBFSH work with its member studbooks to implement the project findings.
Image © Hartpury University.
