We grateful to see this comprehensive resource from the Horses and Humans Research Foundation. This publication bridges the critical gap between basic horse care and genuine horse welfare.
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Welfare vs. Care: The Essential Difference
The publication shows that welfare transcends basic care. While care focuses on minimum needs – food, water, shelter – welfare encompasses the horse’s entire lived experience, including mental and emotional states. This aligns perfectly with my commitment to the Five Domains framework, which all of Project Hope’s committee members study through the online course https://www.openlearning.com/une/courses/une-equine-course/?cl=1
Critical for Equine-Assisted Learning Programs
As Project Hope places horses in Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) and Riding for Disabled settings, the sections on managing sensory overload and workload are invaluable. The magazine directly addresses how horses in EAS settings may experience stress from repetitive handling and overuse, leading to physical fatigue and mental burnout.
The publication recognizes that sensory stimulation and emotional processing demands on therapy horses are significant welfare factors requiring careful monitoring and rotation.
The Five Domains: Practical Excellence
The magazine’s comprehensive exploration of the Five Domains – Nutrition, Environment, Health, Behaviour, and Mental State – provides practical guidance moving beyond the outdated “Five Freedoms” model. Each domain includes:
- Practical assessments– Body condition scoring, topline evaluation, and grimace scales
- Interactive elements– Quizzes, QR codes, and matching games for engaging learning
- Real-world scenarios– “Good vs. poor” examples that help recognize welfare issues early
Learn all about 5 Domains Animal Welfare
Interactive Learning: A Game-Changer
The interactive design with QR codes linking to video demonstrations and assessment tools transforms this from a static document into a dynamic learning platform. For organizations training volunteers and staff, these features are invaluable. The quizzes on sustainable practices and welfare assessments encourage self-reflection and continuous improvement.
Recognizing Stress in Working Horses
The stress recognition section is essential for EAL horses like those placed by individual or organisations and other stakeholders.. Physical signs (excessive sweating, tense muscles), behavioural indicators (head tossing, repetitive movements), and emotional indicators (loss of interest, increased flight responses) are critical for horses where emotional regulation is already challenging.
The “Spot the Stress” photo challenge is a brilliant training tool for any volunteer education program.
Key Sections for EAL Programs
- Behavioural Interactions– Validates practice of maintaining social groups, recognizing that isolation causes chronic stress and immune changes
- Workload Management– Lesson tracking systems and rotation schedules prevent burnout in horses working frequent sessions
- End-of-Life Planning– The MEDW assessment (Movement, Eating, Drinking, Weight) and emphasis on creating plans while horses are healthy shows remarkable compassion
Beyond Therapeutic Programs: Trail Riding and Tourist Operations
While this publication is invaluable for EAL and therapeutic programs, it’s equally critical for commercial operations – trail riding businesses, tourist attractions, and adventure-related equine activities. How often do we see horses tied in line waiting for their next ride, looking pained or emotionally shut down? The non-horsey tourist assumes the horse is “chill” and relaxed, yet those who understand equine behaviour recognize the signs of suffering.
Too many owner/operators are either ill-informed about what their horses are communicating or choose to ignore it. This publication provides the education needed to recognize the difference between a calm, content horse and one that has learned helplessness or is experiencing chronic pain. The grimace scale, stress indicators, and behavioural assessments are tools every commercial operation should be using daily.
A life worth living should not involve suffering.
This principle applies whether a horse is in a therapy program or carrying tourists on trail rides. Every horse deserves more than just basic care – they deserve genuine welfare.
Making Better Decisions for Horses
This resource helps make better decisions for horses – not just adequate ones, but truly welfare-centred choices. The distinction between care and welfare permeates every page, challenging readers to evaluate whether horses are truly thriving, not merely surviving.
Final Thoughts
This publication reinforces fundamental beliefs: welfare is not the same as care. Care is what we do to horses; welfare is what horses experience.
We are truly grateful for resources that elevate industry standards and provide tools for evidence-based, welfare-first decisions that HHRF has done. The interactive elements, comprehensive Five Domains coverage, and honest discussion of EAS challenges make this invaluable. Organizations like Project Hope Horse Welfare and others ,which prioritize the Five Domains and offer online courses to committee members, will find this an excellent complementary resource that validates and enhances their welfare-centred approach to horse placement.