Moving toward Fear-Free Husbandry and Veterinary Care for Horses

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Attitudes toward animal welfare have changed considerably over recent decades. Avoiding the experience of undue fear or stress in animals is a goal across many sectors including production animals, captive zoo species, and companion animals. Husbandry and veterinary procedures have the potential for generating fear and stress in animals; however, this can be mitigated through the types of handling techniques used, and by undertaking training to adequately prepare the animal for all aspects of the procedure. The companion animal sector and the zoo sector have made significant strides towards recognizing and reducing fear during health care. This review discusses the potential for improving horse experiences during husbandry and veterinary procedures. ABSTRACT: Husbandry and veterinary procedures have the potential to generate fear and stress in animals. In horses, the associated responses can pose a significant safety risk to the human personnel involved in the procedure, as well as to the animal itself. Traditionally, physical restraint, punishment, and/or threat of an aversive, have been the most common strategies used to achieve compliance from the horse. However, from a welfare perspective, this is less than ideal. This approach also has the potential for creating a more dangerous response from the horse in future similar situations. When caring for companion animals, and captive animals within zoological facilities, there has been a steady transition away from this approach, and toward strategies aimed at reducing fear and stress during veterinary visits and when undertaking routine husbandry procedures. This review discusses the current approaches to horse care and training, the strategies being used in other animal sectors, and potential strategies for improving human safety, as well as the horse’s experience, during husbandry and veterinary procedures.