Welfare Status of Working Horses and Owners' Perceptions of Their Animals.
Authors: Luna Daniela, Vásquez Rodrigo A, Rojas Manuel, Tadich Tamara A
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Welfare Status of Working Horses and Owners' Perceptions of Their Animals Improving equine welfare requires evidence-based interventions tailored to specific geographic and cultural contexts, yet few studies have systematically assessed working horse populations beyond developed nations. This Chilean study evaluated 100 working horses across two regions using clinical examination, direct observation, and owner interviews—combining objective welfare indicators with qualitative analysis of how owners conceptualise their animals. The researchers found relatively low prevalence of health problems and behavioural distress overall, though important associations emerged: inadequate body condition correlated significantly with lack of deworming protocols, whilst hoof abnormalities linked directly to infrequent or irregular farrier attention, suggesting preventive management gaps rather than catastrophic welfare failure. Owner perceptions revealed two distinct yet coexisting worldviews—some operators viewing horses through an affective, relational lens whilst others adopted an instrumental, production-focused perspective—with regional variation but substantial overlap between both groups. These findings suggest that welfare improvement strategies in working horse populations needn't polarise around philosophical differences; rather, practitioners can leverage both emotional attachment and economic self-interest to drive compliance with evidence-based husbandry practices such as routine deworming schedules and appropriate shoeing intervals.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Establishing regular deworming schedules is critical for maintaining appropriate body condition in working horses
- •Frequent and consistent farrier care (regular shoeing) is essential for preventing hoof abnormalities and associated welfare issues
- •Understanding owner motivations—whether affective or instrumental—can help tailor welfare improvement interventions that align with local values and increase adoption
Key Findings
- •Low prevalence of health problems and negative behavior responses found in working horses across two Chilean regions
- •Inadequate body condition significantly associated with absence of deworming protocols
- •Hoof abnormalities significantly associated with low frequency of shoeing
- •Two distinct owner perception profiles identified: affective (emotional bond) and instrumental (working tool), with affective perception widely shared across both regions