Welfare considerations and best practices for endoscopic examination of horses in clinical and field settings.
Endoscopy is an essential diagnostic tool in equine medicine that, when performed correctly, provides significant welfare benefits by enabling accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment. However, the invasive nature of the procedure, particularly nasogastric passage and the required fasting period for gastroscopy, creates temporary welfare costs. Skilled sedation, appropriate restraint, and experienced technique minimize discomfort. Dynamic endoscopy in ridden horses raises additional ethical questions about demanding exercise during the examination period.