Vets have a key role in changing owner behaviour

Changing hearts and minds to improve equine welfare was a key topic at a major vets' conference

- BECKY MURRAY

VETS can play a key role in changing owners’ behaviour around horse welfare decisions.

Human behaviour change was a key topic at the British Equine Veterinary Association’s Congress (13–16 September), during which Sarah Freeman of the University of Nottingham gave a plenary lecture on “Changing hearts and minds”.

Professor Freeman highlighted five key welfare concerns: lack of biosecurity, delayed euthanasia, lack of owner knowledge and welfare needs, fear and stress from use, and obesity. These can be addressed with a three-step approach of using evidence-based medicine to determine the best clinical approach, understanding factors that may influence owner decisions and looking at how vets share information and improve awareness of welfare issues.

“The most striking thing about these five areas is that as vets we have the knowledge and skills to be able to address the issues, and yet they remain a major problem,” she said.