Modern Principles for Equine Assessment - A Holistic Approach Incorporating the 5 Domains to Equine Well-being

<p xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" class="first" dir="auto" id="d1123551e96"> <b>Abstract</b> <p xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" dir="auto" id="d1123551e101">The 5 Domains of Equine Welfare developed by David Mellor, is research based, based on equine behavior. The domain model includes: Nutrition, Physical Environment, Physical Health, Behavioral Interactions and the Mental State. The first four domains focus attention on factors that give rise to specific negative or positive subjective experiences (affects), which contribute to the animal's mental state, as evaluated in Domain 5. Together, these collectively contribute to an animal's overall welfare state. Assessing our equines is key, and Mellors research shows us how we can alter our management practices in order to provide better well-being for our horses, and in turn, help us to help society view their care based on the most current research. <p xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" dir="auto" id="d1123551e103"> <b>Rational</b> <p xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" dir="auto" id="d1123551e108">With all the hype on social licensing, the 5 Domains of Equine Welfare developed by David Mellor gives us a research-based model that focuses on equine behavior that can help us assess the well-being of our horses. The model includes five key domains: nutrition, physical environment, physical health, behavioral interactions, and the mental state, which is influenced by the first four domains. Together, they all contribute to the overall welfare of the horse. By assessing our horses by addressing each of these domains, we can ensure a holistic approach to equine welfare. Mellor’s research highlights the interconnectedness of these domains and how improvements in one area can positively impact the others. This model encourages us to adopt management practices that enhance the overall well-being of horses, leading to healthier, happier animals and promoting a more informed and compassionate view of equine care in our society, leading to positive social licensing about our own equine care. <p xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" dir="auto" id="d1123551e110"> <b>Presenter Bio</b> <p xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" dir="auto" id="d1123551e115">Cathy Languerand - Member of the Horses and Humans Equine Well Being Committee. My life has been dedicated to mastering how I communicate with horses and sharing this with others. Through this journey I have trained to become a Master Instructor for all types of ridden, driven, and unmounted horsemanship. By working full time in the horse industry for 50 years I have learned by working with unhandled horses, performance horses, and horses working in Therapy programs. My curiosity led me to the awareness of intention and energy work with horses. I explored this further and became a Reiki Master working with both people and horses. My focus and passion turned to improving wellbeing. I learned to use evidential research, science, and Reiki to assess positive states of wellness for both the horses and humans. Jo Anne Miller - Jo Anne is a retired professor of Equine Science, and currently the Executive Director of Brook Hill Farm, a fully accredited horse rescue, therapeutic riding center by GFAS, the TAA, and PATH. She has served as the co-chair of the PATH Equine Welfare Committee and the HETI Equine Welfare committee and is currently the Chair of the Equus Foundation’s Equine Welfare Advisory Group, the HHRF board and HHRF well-being committee, the Virginia Horse Council, and coaches at the national level for the United States Pony Club Show Jumping team.