A wider perspective

Physical health is and must be the core focus of veterinary care, but adopting a broader, welfare-based view is perhaps overdue. Imogen Burrows MRCVS explains

- Imogen Burrows

BALANCING equine health and welfare remains a hotly debated topic within veterinary practice and is a dilemma faced by owners and equine professionals on a daily basis. There have been many definitions of “animal welfare”, but most simply it can be considered to refer to the feelings and physical wellbeing of an individual.

Based on this, it is clear that health is contained within the definition of welfare, just in the same way that a yolk is contained within an egg. Health is an integral part of welfare and the two are inextricably linked (see figure 1, far right).

Poor health undoubtedly has a negative impact on welfare, but it is erroneous to infer that the presence of good health equates to good welfare. An egg with a perfect yolk, but tainted white, is still compromised.

Using a definition of welfare in a practical setting creates challenges, as each possible definition has strengths and weaknesses depending on the specific situation. For example, assessing quality of life for an aged pony compared with environmental enrichment for prolonged box confinement for a young thoroughbred.

The use of a welfare model rather than definition is more practically relevant. One such model is the Five Needs, on which the Animal Welfare Act 2006 centres, or the Five Domains (see table, below right). From these models, it can be clearly understood that equine welfare is affected by factors including health, husbandry, the horse’s use and interactions with both other animals and humans.