What Are the Perceived Barriers to Avoiding Negative and Promoting Positive Equine Mental States for United Kingdom (UK) Horse Owners?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64292/ijes.200Keywords:
Horse welfare, affective states, stable management, equestrian, barriers to change, EquidaeAbstract
Understanding barriers that United Kingdom (UK) horse owners face in optimizing welfare-friendly management choices is key to providing a good life for horses. Equine management is often based on tradition, and horse owners may unknowingly rely on outdated practices and lack awareness of modern welfare assessment frameworks, including the Five Domains Model. Resistance to change can arise from concerns over safety, cost, and tradition, with uncertainty prompting a return to familiar routines. Identifying implementation barriers allows for the development of practical, owner-focused strategies to support enhanced positive mental states. Qualitative data from a 2021 online survey of UK horse owners and carers (n = 258) were analyzed for the first time. Responses (n = 247) to the question, "What barriers or limitations do you see to avoiding a negative mental state and promoting a positive mental state in horses?" were thematically analyzed. Themes that emerged were "Livery Yard Restrictions," "Lack of Resources," "Lack of Knowledge and Education," "Tradition and Performance Pressures," "Natural Living Conditions," and "Health and Welfare Concerns." Livery yard policies and traditional practices often limited individualized equine management intended to promote positive mental states. Many highlighted insufficient social interactions and managing health issues as key challenges. Barriers to avoiding negative and promoting positive equine mental states were multifaceted and often systemic, although these data were collected in 2019 and the sample may include those with an existing interest in this topic. Addressing identified barriers requires targeted education, practical support, and collaboration with livery establishments to enable more individualized equine management to promote a good life for horses.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Kerry Hogg, Katharine Fletcher, Ella Bartlett, Lisa Ashton, Lorna Cameron
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