Improving equine welfare through increasing ability to assess affective states

As awareness of animal welfare grows, formal education on this subject becomes increasingly important. Recognizing emotions in non-human species offers a way to improve animal management and interaction, focusing on minimizing harm and optimizing mental and physical health. Understanding equine affective states is key to assessing their well-being. However, many horse owners overlook the cognitive domain, relying primarily on physiological measures like hoof condition or body condition score to gauge welfare. To address this gap, the RAiSE (Recognizing Affective States in Equine) online educational tool was developed. This research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of RAiSE in improving the assessment of equine affective states through a mixed-methods approach. Participants completed the RAiSE course and were assessed through pre- and post-survey testing. An online questionnaire administered via Qualtrics evaluated their understanding of equine affective states, revealing significant improvement in accurately assessing negative states. Correct selections of affective states increased from 65% pre-course to 82% post-course. The mean number of correct scores also improved, indicating enhanced recognition of both valence and arousal in equines. Thematic analysis of follow-up interviews revealed that participants valued the course and felt more confident in applying their knowledge to real-world scenarios. Over 75% reported an increased likelihood of using affective states in their equine welfare assessments. Participants found RAiSE to be a valuable educational resource and were highly likely to recommend it to others. The study concludes that reducing negative emotions in equines is crucial for maintaining their welfare, and tools like RAiSE are instrumental in achieving this. Future implications suggest that incorporating educational tools like RAiSE into broader equine management practices could significantly enhance horse welfare. Continued research and development of such programs are essential for advancing effective animal welfare strategies.