Assessing the well-being of horses: a multidimensional behavioral approach

The welfare of domestic horses (Equus caballus) is a growing concern in both scientific and ethological circles. While the living conditions of horses can compromise their welfare, it remains essential to accurately detect signs of distress to address them effectively. A recent study investigated this issue by evaluating four categories of behavioral indicators using three complementary methods: the AWIN protocol, scan sampling, and surveys.

Four Key Behavioral Indicators

The study focused on four behaviors widely recognized as indicative of compromised welfare:

Stereotypies (repetitive behaviors without an apparent function, such as crib-biting or weaving),
Aggression toward humans,
Lack of responsiveness to the environment (apathy, withdrawal),
Hypervigilance (constant alertness, often linked to chronic stress).

These indicators are well documented in the scientific literature, though their assessment remains complex.

Three Evaluation Methods Compared

To measure these behaviors, three different approaches were employed:

The AWIN protocol (Animal Welfare Indicators), which provides a standardized animal welfare assessment,
Scan sampling, a behavioral observation technique conducted at regular intervals,
Surveys, which collect the perceptions of caretakers or horse owners.

The goal was to determine whether these methods can reliably and consistently assess the four behavioral indicators.

Results: Limited Validity and Repeatability

The study, conducted on 202 horses housed in group stabling with individual boxes, revealed that the repeatability of measurements over a three-month interval, as well as their convergent validity (correlation between methods), was generally low. This highlights the difficulty of reliably assessing behavioral welfare in horses.

However, two categories of indicators stood out:

Stereotypies and aggression showed better repeatability and higher convergent validity,
Conversely, lack of responsiveness and hypervigilance were more difficult to evaluate consistently.

Among the methods tested, scan sampling proved the most effective at detecting the full range of targeted behaviors.

Toward an Integrated Assessment of Equine Welfare

One of the main findings of the study was the lack of strong correlation between the four categories of indicators. This suggests that no single behavior can, on its own, reflect a horse’s overall welfare state. It is therefore recommended to consider all four behaviors together, and to integrate them with a broader set of indicators, including physiological (e.g., heart rate, cortisol levels) and health-related measures (e.g., body condition, injuries).

Conclusion

This study highlights the methodological challenges involved in assessing equine welfare while offering paths for improvement—particularly for punctual assessments like those of the AWIN protocol. It also underscores the importance of a multidimensional approach, combining several types of indicators for a more complete and reliable evaluation of horse welfare.

Domestic Horse Welfare: A Central Concern in Applied Ethology and Livestock Management

Although abnormal behaviors may indicate poor welfare, a comprehensive evaluation must also account for physiological needs, environmental factors, health status, and the quality of the human-animal relationship.

1. Behavioral Indicators: Valuable Warning Signals

The recent study of 202 horses in group stabling identified four key behaviors that signal compromised welfare:

Stereotypies: repetitive behaviors with no apparent goal (e.g., crib-biting, weaving),
Aggression toward humans: biting, threatening gestures, defensive reactions,
Lack of environmental response: apathy, social withdrawal, prolonged immobility,
Hypervigilance: constant alertness, often linked to chronic stress.

In contrast, some behaviors indicate positive welfare:

Natural postures: lying in sternal or lateral recumbency, relaxed observational stance,
Social interactions: friendly contact with other horses, mutual grooming.

2. Physiological Needs: Fundamental Foundations

A healthy horse must be able to meet its basic needs:

Access to regular feeding, ideally with unlimited forage,
No signs of hunger or thirst,
Access to clean and sufficient water.

These factors are crucial to prevent digestive issues, oral stereotypies, and frustration-related behaviors.

3. Environment: A Suitable Living Framework

The environment directly affects welfare:

Availability of shelter from weather conditions,
Comfortable bedding: clean, spacious enough for lying down,
Thermal comfort: ideal temperature between 10 and 15°C,
Freedom of movement: access to a paddock or daily exercise area.

An enriched environment promotes natural behaviors and reduces behavioral disorders.

4. Health: A Pillar of Welfare

Health status is a direct indicator of welfare:

Absence of visible injuries, lameness, or disease,
Absence of chronic pain (often detectable via changes in posture or behavior),
Regular veterinary care and careful observation are essential.

5. Natural Behaviors and the Human-Animal Relationship

A horse should be able to:

Express species-specific behaviors such as exploration, foraging, and social interaction,
Go outside daily, preferably in groups,
Maintain a positive relationship with humans, characterized by calm, respectful handling.

These interactions influence both the horse's psychological well-being and its cooperation and safety during care or work.

Final Conclusion: A Global, Multidimensional Approach

Equine welfare cannot be assessed using a single indicator. Recent research shows that abnormal behaviors are not always correlated, reinforcing the need for an integrated approach, combining:

Behavioral indicators,
Physiological and health-related measures,
Environmental and social interaction assessments.

Such an approach allows for more accurate identification of at-risk situations and helps adapt management practices to ensure a higher quality of life for horses.

Sources:

CNR BEA | Horse welfare: A joint assessment of four categories of behavioural indicators using the AWIN protocol, scan sampling and surveys
LFPCheval | Certain indicators of horse welfare in boxes evolve over time

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