Belief in Horses' Capacity for Emotion Linked to Better Health and Welfare

 The study revealed that equids belonging to owners with an affective perspective (emotional bond) and those who believed their animals could feel emotions showed significantly better general health status and body condition. Additionally, equids owned by individuals who believed in their animals' capacity to feel pain were significantly less likely to experience lameness. 

“This is the first study to link owner attitudes to the welfare of their working equids across multiple countries and contexts. Our findings highlight the importance of the relationship between owners and their animals, and its significant impact on animal health and welfare.” 

Coauthor and Executive Director of Equine Operations at The Donkey Sanctuary, Dr. Faith Burden, says: “We have long understood that donkeys and mules are sensitive and sentient beings who fare best when they are treated as individuals and with the kindness and respect they deserve. This study provides further peer-reviewed, scientific evidence to support our work across the world. 

These findings could inform and increase the efficacy of future welfare initiatives. For example, promoting emotional connection and awareness of animal sentience among owners of working equids could potentially influence attitudes and lead to improvements in the welfare of working equids around the world.” 

Coauthor Dr. Leanne Proops, Associate Professor in Animal Behaviour at the University of Portsmouth’s Department of Psychology, adds: “It’s important to avoid assumptions about the owners of animals who had poorer health and welfare indicators. It’s possible these owners simply don’t have the resources to look after their animals as well, and because they don’t like to think of them suffering, they adjust their beliefs to think that their animals don’t feel pain. This is a well-documented psychological technique that people use to minimise distress when their behaviour and beliefs don’t align.

“This is a very important study that paves the way for further research to establish causality, and a greater understanding of compassion and animal welfare.”