Horse Welfare Assessment Frameworks

Systematic welfare assessment tools allow horse welfare to be monitored and improved across diverse keeping situations.

Key Facts

The Horse Grimace Scale allows pain assessment from facial photographs of horses
The Five Domains model has been adapted specifically for equine welfare assessment
Equine welfare is regulated differently for sport horses, working horses, and companion horses
The World Horse Welfare Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram identifies 24 pain indicators in ridden horses
Regular welfare assessment identifies problems before they become severe or chronic

Welfare Considerations

Horse welfare assessment has been transformed by research-validated tools that go beyond intuitive assessment. The Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram has revealed that many horses showing apparent behaviour problems are actually in pain from poorly fitting tack, dental problems, or musculoskeletal issues. This changes the diagnosis from behavioural to medical and the response from training to treatment. Systematic welfare assessment frameworks allow horse owners to identify and address welfare problems earlier than intuitive assessment allows.

What You Can Do

Learn the 24 indicators in the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram for horses in your care
Schedule regular equine dental examination and tack fitting assessment
Use validated welfare assessment tools rather than relying on intuition alone
Advocate for welfare assessment training in equestrian sport and competition regulations
Support research developing new validated welfare assessment tools for horses