Using the five domains to assess the well-being of equines in the municipality of Juatuba – state of Minas Gerais

Due to the growth of horse breeding in Minas Gerais, there has been an increase in the number of horses kept in individual stalls, which compromises their health and favors the appearance of stereotypies, as horses are highly influenced by environmental conditions. In order to assess and minimize the effects of confinement, an analysis form was drawn up based on the Five Domains model and the Animal Welfare Assessment (AWA) practical guide. The aim of the study was to evaluate and quantify the EW status of 12 farms in the city of Juatuba, in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. The data was analyzed by analysis of variance, using the FREQ procedure of SAS, version 9.0 (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC, USA). The Welfare Assessment Form made it possible to identify which aspects within the Five Domains could be improved to ensure a better quality of life for the animals. The properties evaluated had a satisfactory Welfare status in general, but some specific characteristics require adjustments to meet the criteria mentioned.