Equine

Horse vision through two lenses: Tinbergen’s Four Questions and the Five Domains

To improve human–horse interactions and reduce the risk of injury, it is essential to adopt an equi-centric perspective that prioritizes how horses perceive their environment. This review focuses on the equine visual system, both because it is the most studied...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Human-Animal Interaction, Husbandry & Management, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Roth, L. S. V., McGreevy, P. 2025. Horse vision through two lenses: Tinbergen’s Four Questions and the Five Domains. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12.

Impact of feeding strategies on the welfare and behaviour of horses in groups: An experimental study

Finding feeding strategies that meet horses’ needs without compromising health is essential for optimising welfare, particularly in group housing, where limited hay availability increases aggression and injury risks. Recently, two strategies have emerged: portioning daily intake into smaller, frequent meals...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Roig-Pons, M., Bachmann, I., Freymond, S. B. 2025. Impact of feeding strategies on the welfare and behaviour of horses in groups: An experimental study. PLOS ONE 20(6), e0325928.

Road transportation is associated with decreased intestinal motility in horses

Background Transportation of horses has been associated with colic and changes to the gastrointestinal microbiome. Percutaneous abdominal ultrasonography using wireless, point-of-care transducers can be used to assess gastrointestinal motility in field settings. Objectives Characterization of intestinal motility and salivary cortisol...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Raidal, S. L., Freccero, F., Carstens, A. et al. 2025. Road transportation is associated with decreased intestinal motility in horses. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12.

Clinical interpretation of body language and behavioral modifications to recognize pain in domestic mammals

Nonhuman animals use nonverbal cues to communicate their mental state about positive and negative events, including pain. Pain is a multidimensional process that elicits behavioral changes aimed at preventing further damage and promoting healing. These changes include restrictions on movement...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Cat, Cattle, Dog, Equine, Goat, Pig

Citation: Mota-Rojas, D., Whittaker, A. L., Lanzoni, L. et al. 2025. Clinical interpretation of body language and behavioral modifications to recognize pain in domestic mammals. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12.

Pathophysiology of penetrating captive-bolt stunning of horses

There has been limited research into the effectiveness of penetrating captive bolt (PCB) for stunning horses (Equus caballus) at slaughter. This study observed 100 horses at a commercial abattoir in Mexico, stunned using pneumatic PCB. Animals were assessed at the...

Year Published: 2025Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Fletcher, K. A., Benedetti, B., Limon, G. et al. 2025. Pathophysiology of penetrating captive-bolt stunning of horses. Animal Welfare 34, e51.

Physiological and behavioral responses of stabled horses (Equus caballus) to three types of environmental enrichment

Small stalls and regulated feedings restrict horses’ natural foraging and locomotion, increasing risks to welfare. Environmental enrichment may promote more naturalistic behavioral time budgets, yet little is known about how enrichment type or timing affects physiology and behavior. This study...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Brauns, M., Ali, A., Berger, J. et al. 2025. Physiological and behavioral responses of stabled horses (Equus caballus) to three types of environmental enrichment. Animals 15(19), 2779.

Optimizing equine standing sedation: Continuous infusion of detomidine and butorphanol enhances stability but prolongs ataxia

ObjectiveThis study aimed to compare the sedation quality and cardiorespiratory and behavioral effects of detomidine administered intravenously, either in intermittent boluses or as a continuous rate infusion, with butorphanol in horses pre-medicated with acepromazine for odontoplasty procedures.MethodsA prospective clinical study...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Arantes, J. de A., Rabelo, I. P., Bermudes, L. et al. 2025. Optimizing equine standing sedation: Continuous infusion of detomidine and butorphanol enhances stability but prolongs ataxia. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12.

Mental Health and Well-being in Animals

Since the publication of the first edition of this book, professional and public concern for the well-being of animals has continued to increase throughout the world. Advances in research and technologies have yielded an enormous amount of new knowledge about...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Emotion, Pain, & Sentience, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: All/General, Baboon, Bird, Capuchin, Cat, Chicken, Chimpanzee, Crocodile & Alligator, Dog, Equine, Fish, Gibbon, Goat, Lemur, Lizard, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Animal, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Parrot, Pig, Rabbit, Reptile, Salmon, Sheep, Snake, Squirrel Monkey, Trout, Turtle & Tortoise, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: McMillan, F. D. (Ed.) 2025. Mental Health and Well-being in Animals (3rd ed.). CAB International, Oxfordshire, UK. 464 p.

Behavioral Biology of Laboratory Animals

This 30-chapter volume informs students and professionals about the behavioral biology of animals commonly housed in laboratory and other captive settings. Each species evolved under specific environmental conditions, resulting in unique behavioral patterns, many of which are maintained in captivity...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, Handling, Housing, Human-Animal Interaction, Husbandry & Management, Natural Behavior, Rearing & Weaning, Social Housing & Companionship, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: All/General, Amphibian, Baboon, Capuchin, Cat, Cattle, Chicken, Crocodile & Alligator, Dog, Equine, Ferret, Finch, Fish, Fowl, Frog & Toad, Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Lizard, Macaque, Marmoset, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Other Rodent, Owl Monkey, Pig, Rabbit, Rat, Reptile, Rodent, Salamander, Sheep, Snake, Squirrel Monkey, Turtle & Tortoise, Vervet (African Green Monkey), Zebrafish

Citation: Coleman, K., Schapiro, S. J. (Eds.) 2022. Behavioral Biology of Laboratory Animals (1st Ed.). CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 560 p.

Application of the horse grimace scale in horses with dental disease: Preliminary findings

Background Dental disease is a common but often under-recognised condition in horses, possibly due to an inability to recognise clinical signs of oral discomfort. Some dental disorders are reportedly more painful than others, but there is no current metric by...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Disease/Experimental Model, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Sidwell, A. E., Duz, M., Hill, B. et al. 2025. Application of the horse grimace scale in horses with dental disease: Preliminary findings. Veterinary Record 196(3), e4800.