Loftus Loni, Asher Lucy, Leach Matthew
School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK; Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin institute, Easter Bush Campus, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK; University Centre Askham Bryan, Askham Bryan, York YO23 3FR, UK.
School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK.
Vet J. 2025 Aug;312:106370. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2025.106370. Epub 2025 May 6.
Over the last twenty years the definition of good animal welfare has advanced from the 'absence of negative welfare states' to the aim of identifying the presence of positive welfare states; however, research on positive animal welfare is relatively new. Consequently, through expert consultation, this study aimed to synthesise knowledge regarding domesticated equine emotional state, specifically methods to induce and measure positive affective states, which could be of significant benefit to equine welfare across sectors. A Delphi consultation of experts in the field of equine behaviour, welfare and affective state was undertaken to derive consensus agreement on definitions used when considering positive affective state in equines and methods suitable for inducing and measuring these states within experimental investigations. Ninety-three international experts participated in a robust three-round Delphi consultation with data gathered analysed qualitatively (thematic analysis) and quantitatively (ranking data, consensus benchmarks and Content Validity Index (CVI) / Content Validity Ratio (CVR) analyses). Retention rates were high (78 %), and consensus (minimum 70 % agreement) was reached within Round three of the consultation. Nineteen methods for inducing positive affect reached consensus (provision of high value food, an affiliative companion and a substrate to roll in where the highest ranked), and twelve behavioural (assessment of body language, facial actions and horse-horse interactions were ranked highest) and three physiological (evaluation of heart rate, heart rate variability and respiratory rate) variables for measuring positive affect also reached consensus. This consultation highlights several important considerations surrounding the induction and measurement of positive affective state in equines, including consideration of the individual's personality and individual preference within any measures of affective state. We therefore recommend that establishing individual preference should be a prerequisite of research into positive affective states. It is anticipated that the results of this study can be used to provide new direction for research on positive affective states by providing expert agreed methods and measures for policy and practice through expert agreed approaches to induce positive affect in horses.
在过去二十年中，良好动物福利的定义已从“不存在负面福利状态”发展到旨在识别积极福利状态的存在；然而，关于积极动物福利的研究相对较新。因此，通过专家咨询，本研究旨在综合有关家养马情绪状态的知识，特别是诱导和测量积极情感状态的方法，这可能对各部门的马福利有重大益处。对马行为、福利和情感状态领域的专家进行了德尔菲咨询，以就考虑马的积极情感状态时使用的定义以及适合在实验研究中诱导和测量这些状态的方法达成共识。九十三位国际专家参与了一轮有力的三轮德尔菲咨询，对收集到的数据进行了定性（主题分析）和定量（排名数据、共识基准和内容效度指数（CVI）/内容效度比率（CVR）分析）分析。保留率很高（78%），并在咨询的第三轮中达成了共识（至少70%的一致意见）。十九种诱导积极情绪的方法达成了共识（提供高价值食物、亲密伙伴和可供打滚的垫料，其中排名最高），十二种行为（肢体语言评估、面部动作和马与马之间的互动排名最高）和三种生理（心率、心率变异性和呼吸频率评估）测量积极情绪的变量也达成了共识。本次咨询突出了围绕马积极情感状态的诱导和测量的几个重要考虑因素，包括在任何情感状态测量中考虑个体的个性和个人偏好。因此，我们建议确定个体偏好应成为积极情感状态研究的先决条件。预计本研究结果可通过提供专家认可的方法和措施，为政策和实践提供新的积极情感状态研究方向，以诱导马产生积极情绪。
