The relationship between working horse welfare state and their owners’ empathy level and perception of equine pain

Luna, Daniela; Salfate, Rodrigo Vásquez; López, José Yáñez; Tadich, Tamara

doi:10.7120/09627286.27.2.115

Cited by 10 publications

(28 citation statements)

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“…These assessments have commonly included behavioural tests to assess reactions of equines to human approach, touch and handling [15,52,53,55,57,58,65,66,67], as well as physiological measures, such as heart rate [68] and cortisol levels in response to human interactions [69,70]. However, although it has been described that human-equine interactions have the potential to impact upon the welfare of both the animal and its owner [60], the assessment of human-equine interactions from the human perspective (e.g., the owner´s attitudes or empathy towards animals) and their relationship with equine welfare, has not received much attention [34,35].…”

Section: Human-animal Interactions and Their Main Implications Formentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In contrast to the substantial number of studies on human empathy [80,83,85,86,87,88,89,90,91], human empathy towards animals has received less attention [25,27,29,32,92]. However, research in this field has shown that empathy towards animals plays an important role in modulating both HAIs and animal welfare [25,27,32,35,93]. Research has demonstrated that empathy towards animals is not only associated with the ability to empathize with people [35,79,94], but is also intrinsically related with: (a) positive attitudes towards animals [32,95], (b) greater sensibility with which animal pain is perceived and qualified, both by pet owners [32] and veterinarians [29], and (c) productivity [24] and animal welfare [25,35].…”

Section: Factors Implicated In Human-animal Interactionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, research in this field has shown that empathy towards animals plays an important role in modulating both HAIs and animal welfare [25,27,32,35,93]. Research has demonstrated that empathy towards animals is not only associated with the ability to empathize with people [35,79,94], but is also intrinsically related with: (a) positive attitudes towards animals [32,95], (b) greater sensibility with which animal pain is perceived and qualified, both by pet owners [32] and veterinarians [29], and (c) productivity [24] and animal welfare [25,35]. For example, Hanna et al [24] reported that higher empathy scores were related to higher milk yield in dairy cows.…”

Section: Factors Implicated In Human-animal Interactionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recently, a study using a modified version of the Animal Empathy Scale developed by Paul [79] showed that working equines owners’ empathy towards animals seems to play an important role in determining the way animals are treated and cared for in Chile [35]. The authors investigated how the welfare state of working equines, assessed mainly through animal-based indicators, was associated with owners’ levels of empathy.…”

Section: Factors Implicated In Human-animal Interactionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Empathy, attitudes towards nonhuman animals and perception of animal pain are some of the human psychological attributes that play an important role in modulating both human-animal relationships and animal welfare [24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33]. However, these aspects have been extensively addressed in the context of livestock industries [24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31], while very little research has been undertaken to identify the human attributes that modulate the owner-equine interaction and how these could, eventually, affect working equids’ welfare [13,34,35,36].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Why Should Human-Animal Interactions Be Included in Research of Working Equids’ Welfare?

Luna

Tadich

2019

Animals

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The livelihood of working horses’ owners and their families is intimately linked to the welfare of their equids. A proper understanding of human-animal interactions, as well as the main factors that modulate them, is essential for establishing strategies oriented to improve the welfare of animals and their caretakers. To date, there is still a paucity of research dedicated to the identification and assessment of the human psychological attributes that affect the owner–equine interaction, and how these could affect the welfare of working equids. However, some studies have shown that empathy, attitudes towards animals, human perception of animal pain and the owner´s locus of control are some of the psychological attributes that participate in human-equine interactions and that these can result in poor welfare of working equids. A better understanding of the relationship between human attributes and equids’ welfare can provide an opportunity to improve the quality of interactions between owners and their working equids and thus improve their welfare. This review aims to explain why the inclusion of human psychological attributes that modulate the human-animal interactions can benefit welfare research in working equids. The role that empathy, perception of animal pain and locus of control play in the promotion of good welfare in working equids is emphasized.

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Section: Human-animal Interactions and Their Main Implications Formentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Factors Implicated In Human-animal Interactionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Factors Implicated In Human-animal Interactionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Factors Implicated In Human-animal Interactionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Why Should Human-Animal Interactions Be Included in Research of Working Equids’ Welfare?

Luna

Tadich

2019

Animals

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Belief in Animal Sentience and Affective Owner Attitudes are linked to Positive Working Equid Welfare across Six Countries

Haddy,

Burden,

Raw

et al. 2023

Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science

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“What can we do to actually reach all these animals?” Evaluating approaches to improving working equid welfare

et al. 2022

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NGOs utilise a range of programming to bring about desired changes. This study examines the advantages and limitations of the range of approaches used by one particular NGO sector: working equid welfare organisations, from the perspective of NGO staff. NGO staff hold a wealth of knowledge regarding the design and implementation of welfare improvement initiatives; however this knowledge is rarely systematically documented. Through 32 semi-structured interviews the experiences of staff across multiple organisations were explored. The nine most commonly utilised approaches within equid focussed NGO programming were discussed with participants. Many themes resulting from the interviews centred around the strengths and disadvantages of these individual approaches, implemented both historically and presently by different NGOs. The influences of the context in which initiatives took place and barriers to welfare improvement that existed across approaches were also examined. Striking a balance came through as a strong theme at many levels. Balancing top-down versus bottom-up approaches was a frequently voiced concern, as was balancing the utility of certain approaches against associated factors warranting caution. Combinations of approaches that were felt to be complementary provided a balance that drew on the strengths and mitigated for the weaknesses of different approaches. The need to tailor approaches to individual contexts was also raised and is especially relevant to INGOs working across multiple countries, cultures and political structures. The study provides an informed insight into potential factors to consider when designing future welfare initiatives. The collaborative pooling of experience across different NGOs could help make welfare initiatives more effective and provide a framework for NGOs in other fields to learn from each other’s collective knowledge.

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The relationship between working horse welfare state and their owners’ empathy level and perception of equine pain

Cited by 10 publications

References 0 publications

Why Should Human-Animal Interactions Be Included in Research of Working Equids’ Welfare?

Why Should Human-Animal Interactions Be Included in Research of Working Equids’ Welfare?

Belief in Animal Sentience and Affective Owner Attitudes are linked to Positive Working Equid Welfare across Six Countries

“What can we do to actually reach all these animals?” Evaluating approaches to improving working equid welfare

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