Developing Tools to Improve Horse Transport and Welfare

In Europe, there are different rules for transport of unbroken (unhandled) and broken horses. Because of the difficulties of properly distinguishing between the two, unbroken horses often are transported long distances in inappropriate conditions. To improve identification, researchers will record the behavioral reactions, heart rate and eye temperature of 58 horses (29 broken, 29 unbroken) during haltering and handling. The data will be used to generate criteria that distinguish unbroken horses from broken horses. Identifying unbroken horses prior to transport will ensure that these animals are transported in accordance with current regulations, greatly reducing their mental and physical distress.