A new study has revealed a powerful connection between a belief in horse sentience (capacity to have feelings) and the well-being of working horses
Researchers have shown that owners who believe in their horses’ emotions and treat them with care, have animals that are significantly healthier and better looked after. In many low and middle-income countries (LMICs), working horses are essential to daily life, supporting industries such as agriculture, transport, and construction. The welfare of these horses is closely tied to the livelihoods of the communities they work with, making their health crucial for both human and animal welfare.
The study – a collaboration between the charity Brooke and the University of Portsmouth - took place in towns and villages in the Senegalese regions of Diourbel, Louga and Thiès. In total, 299 working horse owners and their horses took part in the study, and most of the horses included in the study worked in agriculture.
Horse owners were asked a series of questions to assess attitudes towards their horses and their belief in horses’ minds - for example, whether they believe their horses feel pain. The welfare of the horses was also assessed. In parts of Senegal, Brooke research has found that families produce 78 per cent more groundnuts, 46 per cent more maize, and 44 per cent more millet if they have a donkey.
In Burkina Faso, farmers would anticipate over 50 per cent loss in most cultivated products if they were to lose their working equids. In many countries’ equids provide a vital contribution to household tasks, such as transporting water, feeding livestock and reducing domestic drudgery. A spokesperson for Brooke said: “For the benefits to both people and animals, it’s important to understand factors which influence this human-animal relationship. “The health and welfare of working equids is intimately linked to their owners. If animals become sick or injured and are unable to work this has a direct impact on the income generating opportunities and wellbeing of the communities who depend on them.
“Improvements in working equid welfare significantly improve work output, productivity and efficiency. The results from this study offer an insight into the close relationship between working horse welfare, owner’s attitudes and beliefs, and their socio-economic status. Studying these variables in isolation, doesn’t allow for the ‘complete picture’ to be understood, therefore understanding the complex dynamics between the variables is invaluable.”
Our research highlights the profound connection between human attitudes and animal welfare. It seems that when owners view their horses as sentient beings capable of feeling, they are more likely to invest in their care
The main findings of the study are:
- Horse owners with a stronger belief in horse sentience and a more positive attitude towards their horses, owned horses with a healthier body condition.
- Belief in horse mind was positively correlated with the provision of appropriate nutrition, positive horse health and behaviour. Positive attitudes towards horses were associated with providing appropriate nutrition and positive behaviour.
- There was a strong relationship between a household’s ability to cover their needs, such as paying bills, and horse’s physical welfare, for example, providing an adequate diet, suitable housing and veterinary care.
- Larger households and those with a higher income were more likely to own a horse in good general health.
The study also found that horse owners who believe their horses have emotions are more likely to be providing proper nutrition and overall better living conditions. This empathetic attitude directly links to healthier horses with better body condition scores.
For the benefits to both people and animals, it’s important to understand factors which influence this human-animal relationship. The health and welfare of working equids is intimately linked to their owners. If animals become sick or injured and are unable to work this has a direct impact on the income generating opportunities and wellbeing of the communities who depend on them.
Dr Leanne Proops, Associate Professor in Animal Behaviour and Welfare at the University of Portsmouth, said: “Our research highlights the profound connection between human attitudes and animal welfare. It seems that when owners view their horses as sentient beings capable of feeling, they are more likely to invest in their care. This finding is critical for organisations working to improve animal welfare, as it suggests that fostering empathy and compassion in horse owners could be a key strategy for improving the lives of working horses. However, it’s also important to note that this relationship between human attitudes and welfare may work in both directions.
"We know that people tend to protect themselves from distress by thinking that animals are not so capable of feeling emotions when they are faced with situations where animals may be suffering. Our hope is that these insights drive advocacy for better policies to protect working horses, encourage funding for welfare programs and raise awareness in communities about how knowledge of animal emotions can directly benefit their animals and, in turn, their own livelihoods.”
The paper can be viewed here: