Research on how horses show positive emotions

The study findings could help improve equine welfare and performance, it is believed

- ELEANOR JONES

AN investigation into how racehorses express positive emotions during interaction with humans should help people understand more about equine feelings - and potentially improve welfare and performance.

Researchers from Hartpury University will work with those from Charles Sturt University, Australia, and Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) in New Zealand on the project.

The investigation will include using a study to assess equine welfare, and field-based experiments to "evaluate positive equine emotional state in controlled and industry conditions". The ultimate aim is to "produce practical tools that will enable those working with horses to become more informed about how their horse is feeling - potentially improving welfare and performance".