Healthy as a Horse? Characterising the UK and Ireland’s Horse Owners, Their Horses, and Owner-Reported Health and Behavioural Issues

Abstract

This study focuses on recreational horse owners in the UK and Ireland to explore the relationship between horse characteristics and welfare issues. An online questionnaire was distributed to 1501 horse owners to collect data on the owners, horses, and health/behavioural issues. Most respondents were female (98%), lived in England (56%), and did not insure their horses for veterinary costs (51%). Horses were typically over 5 years of age (96%), taller than 154 cm (55%), and mostly geldings (65%). Common welfare issues reported included lameness (26%), handling problems (11%), antisocial behaviours (9%), and abnormal oral behaviours (9%). Older horses were 4.23 times more likely to have lameness issues than younger horses (95% CI [2.17, 9.27], p < 0.001), while sport horse breeds were 3.12 times more likely to exhibit abnormal oral behaviours (95% CI [2.10, 4.73], p < 0.001) compared to other breed types. Whilst the study found a relatively low rate of welfare issues, the main problems reported were consistent with those seen in other studies. Age and breed appeared to influence the prevalence of these issues, although the relationships were weak. The study suggests that factors such as the owner’s attitudes, knowledge, and management practices may play a significant role in the incidence of welfare problems. Further research is needed to explore the impact of management on horse welfare.

Simple Summary

This study considers the owners of recreational horses in the UK and Ireland and the prevalence of welfare issues in these horses. A questionnaire was distributed to 1501 owners/managers to gather information about the owners, their horses, and reported behavioural and welfare problems. The typical respondent was a 45-year-old female (98%) owning a gelding (65%), which was a sport horse or mountain and moorland breed type. Most horses were over 5 years of age, and the most common activities were hacking (69%) and flatwork (49%). The most frequent welfare issues reported included lameness (26%), handling problems (11%), antisocial behaviours (9%), and abnormal oral behaviours (9%). Older horses were significantly more likely to experience lameness, while sport horse breeds were more prone to abnormal oral behaviours like wood chewing and crib biting. The associations between horse characteristics (such as age and breed) and welfare issues were, weak however. Therefore, other factors, such as the owner’s knowledge, attitudes, and management practices, may also be important in the incidence of these issues. This underscores the need for further research into how management practices affect horse welfare.

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