Equine

Analgesia during parturition in domestic animals: Perspectives and controversies on its use

This article analyzes the physiological role of pain during parturition in domestic animals, discusses the controversies surrounding the use of opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and local analgesics as treatments during labor, and presents the advantages and disadvantages for mother...

Year Published: 2022Topics: ReproductionAnimal Type: Cattle, Equine, Goat, Pig, Sheep

Citation: Mota-Rojas, D., Velarde, A., Marcet-Rius, M. et al. 2022. Analgesia during parturition in domestic animals: Perspectives and controversies on its use. Animals 12(19), 2686.

Mental experiences in wild animals: Scientifically validating measureable welfare indicators in free-roaming horses

The mental experiences of animals are what characterises their welfare status. The Five Domains Model for assessing welfare aligns with the understanding that physical and mental states are linked. Following measurement of indicators within each of the four physical/functional Domains...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Emotion, Pain, & Sentience, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Harvey, A. M., Beausoleil, N. J., Ramp, D. et al. 2023. Mental experiences in wild animals: Scientifically validating measureable welfare indicators in free-roaming horses. Animals 13(9), 1507.

Review of the foundational knowledge required for assessing horse welfare

A detailed understanding of what is usual for a species under optimal conditions is critical for identifying and interpreting different features of body function that have known impacts on animal welfare and its assessment. When applying the Five Domains Model...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Emotion, Pain, & Sentience, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Harvey, A. M., Ramp, D., Mellor, D. J. 2022. Review of the foundational knowledge required for assessing horse welfare. Animals 12(23), 3385.

The social and reproductive challenges faced by free-roaming horse (Equus caballus) stallions

In captivity, intact male horses, due to their sexual drive, are usually socially isolated from other horses. This lifestyle strongly contrasts with that experienced by horses living in free-roaming, feral, or semi-feral conditions, where adult stallions have several roles in...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Górecka-Bruzda, A., Jaworska, J., Stanley, C. R. 2023. The social and reproductive challenges faced by free-roaming horse (Equus caballus) stallions. Animals 13(7), 1151.

A review of equine sleep: Implications for equine welfare

Sleep is a significant biological requirement for all living mammals due to its restorative properties and its cognitive role in memory consolidation. Sleep is ubiquitous amongst all mammals but sleep profiles differ between species dependent upon a range of biological...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Greening, L., McBride, S. 2022. A review of equine sleep: Implications for equine welfare. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 9, 916737.

Behavioral and hormonal assessment of stress in foals (Equus caballus) throughout the weaning process

This study had the aim to demonstrate the midterm effects (three weeks) of weaning on foals' welfare. For this purpose, foals' behavioral changes and fecal levels metabolites of cortisol were evaluated. The observations took place at the state stud farm...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Rearing & WeaningAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Delank, K., Reese, S., Erhard, M. et al. 2023. Behavioral and hormonal assessment of stress in foals (Equus caballus) throughout the weaning process. PLOS ONE 18(1), e0280078.

The fibre requirements of horses and the consequences and causes of failure to meet them

Failure to meet the minimum forage requirement of 1.5% of the horse's bodyweight and the opportunity for foraging for a minimum of 8 h a day (not going without this opportunity longer than four to five consecutive hours) can have...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Husbandry & Management, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Ermers, C., McGilchrist, N., Fenner, K. et al. 2023. The fibre requirements of horses and the consequences and causes of failure to meet them. Animals 13(8), 1414.

Horse grimace scale does not detect pain in horses with equine gastric ulcer syndrome

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is a highly prevalent and presumptively painful condition, although the amount of pain horses might experience is currently unknown. The aims of this study were to determine if the Horse Grimace Scale (HGS) could identify...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Ferlini Agne, G., May, B. E., Lovett, A. et al. 2023. Horse grimace scale does not detect pain in horses with equine gastric ulcer syndrome. Animals 13(10), 1623.

The effect of stabling routines on potential behaviour indicators of affective state in horses and their use in assessing quality of life

Increasing interest in equine welfare has emphasised the need for objective and reliable behavioural indicators of horses' affective state. However, research has yielded mixed results regarding behaviours suited for industry use largely because they are subject to anthropomorphic interpretation. Stabling...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Husbandry & Management, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Bradshaw-Wiley, E., Randle, H. 2023. The effect of stabling routines on potential behaviour indicators of affective state in horses and their use in assessing quality of life. Animals 13(6), 1065.

Social behavior in farm animals: Applying fundamental theory to improve animal welfare

A fundamental understanding of behavior is essential to improving the welfare of billions of farm animals around the world. Despite living in an environment managed by humans, farm animals are still capable of making important behavioral decisions that influence welfare....

Year Published: 2022Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Cattle, Chicken, Equine, Fowl, Goat, Pig, Sheep

Citation: Lee, V. E., Arnott, G., Turner, S. P. 2022. Social behavior in farm animals: Applying fundamental theory to improve animal welfare. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 9, 932217.