Fiedler Julie M, Rosanowski Sarah, Ayre Margaret L, Slater Josh D
Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Melbourne, VIC 3030, Australia.
School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, University of Melbourne, Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
Animals (Basel). 2025 Jul 24;15(15):2182. doi: 10.3390/ani15152182.
Participation in horse-related activities frequently involves relocating horses from the home stable to an activity venue, which might require local, regional, or international travel. In these circumstances, horses are exposed to unfamiliar surroundings and experience changes to their daily routines, which could have negative welfare impacts. An online survey was conducted in 2021 to ask experienced horse sector participants about the horse management practices that they perceived worked well and provided for positive horse welfare when undertaken at venues. Qualitative analysis identified four themes: 'managing venues', 'monitoring fitness to participate', 'maintaining a healthy equine digestive system', and 'using horse behaviors to inform decision-making'. The findings indicate that activity-related individuals selected practices that assisted horses to adapt to venue surroundings, remain calm, and stay healthy. The co-authors propose that experienced participants recognize that practices include both provisions (inputs) and outcomes (the horse's subjective experiences), resonating with the Five Freedoms and Five Domains models. For horse activity organizations proposing to implement the Five Domains model, the findings indicate that reviewing practices and implementing updates is timely and achievable. The authors propose that continuously updating practices will contribute to safeguarding horses and maintaining the sector's social license to operate.
参与与马相关的活动通常需要将马匹从自家马厩转移到活动场地，这可能需要进行本地、区域或国际旅行。在这种情况下，马匹会接触到不熟悉的环境，日常活动也会发生变化，这可能会对其福利产生负面影响。2021年开展了一项在线调查，询问经验丰富的马术行业参与者，他们认为在场地进行哪些马匹管理措施效果良好且能保障马匹的积极福利。定性分析确定了四个主题：“场地管理”“监测参赛健康状况”“维持马匹消化系统健康”以及“利用马匹行为辅助决策”。研究结果表明，与活动相关的人员选择的措施有助于马匹适应场地环境、保持平静并维持健康。共同作者建议，经验丰富的参与者应认识到这些措施既包括准备工作（投入）也包括结果（马匹的主观体验），这与“五大自由”和“五要素”模型相呼应。对于提议实施“五要素”模型的马术活动组织而言，研究结果表明审查措施并进行更新既及时又可行。作者提议持续更新措施将有助于保护马匹并维持该行业的运营社会许可。
