The Effect of Human-Horse Interactions on Equine Behaviour, Physiology, and Welfare: A Scoping Review.
Authors: Kelly Katherine Jennifer, McDuffee Laurie Anne, Mears Kimberly
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Human-Horse Interactions and Equine Welfare Understanding how horses experience human contact requires attention to both their behaviour and physiological responses, yet current assessment methods remain fragmented across the equine industry. This 2021 scoping review examined 45 peer-reviewed studies to identify how researchers measure human-horse interactions (HHIs) and their effects on equine welfare, revealing that only 42% of studies simultaneously captured behavioural and physiological data—with the remainder relying on either physiology alone (31%) or behavioural observation alone (27%). A significant gap emerged in how welfare itself is interpreted: most evidence focuses merely on the *absence* of negative affective states during handling rather than measuring indicators of positive emotional engagement. The authors identified a critical need for standardised, multimodal assessment protocols that move beyond documenting horses' tolerance of human contact to actively measuring their wellbeing and emotional quality during interactions. For practitioners, this underscores why professional development should emphasise reading subtle behavioural cues alongside understanding stress markers (such as cortisol levels), ensuring that handling protocols genuinely support equine welfare rather than simply avoiding overt distress.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Assessment of horse welfare during interactions requires both behavioural observation and physiological measurement—relying on single methods provides incomplete picture of the horse's affective state
- •Moving beyond simply avoiding negative responses to actively promoting positive emotional states should be the goal when developing handling and interaction protocols
- •Handlers and operators should advocate for standardized welfare assessment tools in their operations to objectively evaluate whether current practices are truly benefiting horse welfare
Key Findings
- •42% of studies measuring human-horse interactions used combined physiological and behavioural measures, while 31% used physiological measures alone and 27% used behavioural observation exclusively
- •Current evidence of equine welfare during human-horse interactions is minimal and largely based on absence of negative affective states rather than presence of positive states
- •Standardization of methodology and broadening of assessment scope to include positive affective states would significantly improve understanding of equine welfare during interactions