A comparative study of the application of two horse welfare assessment protocols. (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Viksten, S. M.; Visser, E. K.; Blokhuis, H. J.
• Is Part Of: Acta agriculturæ Scandinavica. Volume 66:Number 1(2016)
• Page Start: 56
• Page End: 65
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: Animal-based measures -- assessment guidance -- equine welfare -- legislation -- welfare officers; Animal culture -- Periodicals; Animal nutrition -- Periodicals; 636
• DOI: 10.1080/09064702.2016.1186726
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0906-4702

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Two assessment protocols for horse welfare were compared: the Swedish official protocol (OP) and a newly developed horse welfare assessment protocol (HWAP). The protocols differ in composition: the HWAP contains 20 animal-based (35.7%), 28 resource-based (50.0%) and 8 management-based (14.3%) measures whereas the OP has 4 animal-based (8.9%), 21-resource-based (46.7%), 16-management-based (35.6%) and 4-uncategorized measures (8.9%). The HWAP detected more welfare issues than the OP for 11 out of 12 welfare criteria. The OP took less time to assess (2–4 h) compared to the HWAP (3 h 20 min to 8 h 40 min). The added level of detail and more animal-based measures means that the HWAP provides a more thorough assessment of welfare of the individual animal than the OP.