New research explores different types of stereotypic behaviour

© Callipso88 Dreamstime.com

 

Stereotypic behaviours such as crib-biting, weaving and box-walking are among the most recognisable signs of compromised welfare in horses. These repetitive behaviours appear to serve no obvious purpose and are most seen in horses kept under restrictive management conditions, where opportunities for natural behaviours such as continuous grazing, free movement and social interaction are limited.

Although stereotypies are widely regarded as indicators of reduced welfare, scientists are increasingly recognising that not all stereotypic behaviours arise for the same reasons. Understanding these differences could help develop more effective management strategies for affected horses.

Stereotypies are generally divided into two broad categories. Oral stereotypies involve repetitive movements of the mouth, with crib-biting being the best-known example. Locomotor stereotypies involve repeated movement of part or all of the body, such as weaving or box-walking.

As part of her PhD research at the Centre for Comparative and Evolutionary Psychology, University of Portsmouth, Kate Lewis and colleagues investigated whether horses displaying different forms of stereotypic behaviour also differed in their responses to a potential source of social enrichment: a stable mirror.

Mirrors have previously been shown to provide some horses with the illusion of another horse being present, potentially helping to reduce stress associated with social isolation. The researchers wanted to determine whether horses exhibiting locomotor stereotypies might be more socially motivated than those showing oral stereotypies.

The study involved 16 horses: six horses that regularly box-walked, five that crib-bit, and five control horses with no stereotypic behaviour. Each horse underwent a 24-hour baseline observation period, followed by 24 hours with a large stable mirror measuring one by 1.5 metres installed in the stable. Behaviour was then monitored for a further 24 hours after the mirror was removed.

The results revealed clear differences between the groups. Horses that box-walked showed a noticeable reduction in the behaviour while the mirror was present, and this reduction persisted even after the mirror had been removed. In contrast, crib-biting behaviour was unaffected by the presence of the mirror.

The horses also differed in how much attention they paid to the mirror. Both the box-walking horses and the control horses spent more time orientated towards it than the crib-biters, suggesting that the locomotor stereotypy group may have been more interested in the apparent social companion.

However, the findings also showed that the picture is more complex than simple social attraction. Box-walking horses did not display more ear or head movements associated with affiliative social behaviour towards the mirror, nor did they show greater signs of frustration after the mirror was removed. This suggests that although mirrors appeared to reduce box-walking, the underlying reasons remain unclear.

The researchers conclude that the study provides preliminary evidence that horses displaying different stereotypies respond differently to environmental enrichment. In particular, locomotor stereotypies such as box-walking may have stronger links with social factors than oral stereotypies like crib-biting.

Because the study involved relatively small numbers of horses, the authors emphasise that larger, well-controlled studies are needed before firm conclusions can be drawn. Nevertheless, the findings add to growing evidence that stereotypic behaviours should not be viewed as a single condition, but rather as behaviours with potentially different underlying causes that may require different approaches to management and welfare improvement.

For more details, see:

Lewis, K., McBride, S. D., Parker, M. O., Faithfull, R., & Proops, L.

Differences between horses (Equus caballus) displaying oral and locomotor stereotypies in their responses to a stable mirror. 

Behavioural processes, (2026). 241, 105415.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2026.105415

What riding school horses' faces reveal about their experience

  

© Igordabari  Dreamstime.com

   

Horse owners are often taught to watch for obvious signs of discomfort, such as pinned ears, tail swishing, bucking or resistance under saddle. But what if a horse's face could reveal more subtle clues about how it is coping long before those more obvious behaviours appear?

New research from the University of Guelph suggests that tiny changes in facial expression may provide valuable insights into how lesson horses experience their work and interactions with riders.

 As part of her PhD research in Equine Exercise Physiology, Aveil Oberhammer used the Equine Facial Action Coding System (EquiFACS) to study the facial expressions of 35 riding school horses before, during and after both beginner and advanced hunter/jumper lessons. Unlike the Horse Grimace Scale, which was developed specifically to identify pain, EquiFACS is a comprehensive system that records individual facial muscle movements without assigning them an emotional meaning. Researchers can then investigate what those movements may indicate in different situations, from learning and communication to stress and welfare.

The study examined short video clips taken at five stages of a typical lesson: before tacking up, after saddling, after bridling, immediately after riding and following untacking. A certified EquiFACS observer analysed each clip, recording facial action units including eye movements, ear position, nostril shape and oral behaviours such as chewing and lip movements.

Some facial expressions are surprisingly difficult to interpret. Chewing, for example, has traditionally been viewed as a sign of relaxation, yet growing evidence suggests it may instead function as a self-soothing behaviour that helps horses regulate their emotional state. Similarly, nostril dilation may reflect physical exertion, heightened attention or anticipation depending on the circumstances.

"You need to be very observant," Oberhammer explained. "Doing it live is much harder than analysing video. Sometimes you're trying to determine whether a tiny lip movement is upwards or backwards because that changes the facial action score."

One of the study's key questions challenged a common assumption within riding schools: that beginner riders are easier for horses because the physical demands are generally lower. The findings suggest the reality is more complex.

Overall, rider ability alone had surprisingly little effect on the horses' facial expressions. However, certain groups of horses responded differently. Less experienced lesson horses, particularly those with fewer than three years in a lesson programme, were more likely to display facial movements such as nostril lifting, nostril dilation and tongue movements when working with beginner riders. Mares also showed more facial activity than geldings and exhibited more eye blinks, nostril movements and lip parting with novice riders.

These findings may reflect the additional mental effort required to interpret inconsistent rider cues. Horses constantly attempt to understand what their riders are asking, and unclear timing or conflicting signals may increase their cognitive workload.

"We know that horses learn from trial and error," said Oberhammer. "If they don't associate a certain cue with a positive outcome, they might just do nothing."

The research also highlighted how facial expressions changed throughout the lesson itself. Horses were most expressive before preparation began, showing a variety of movements around the eyes, nostrils and mouth. Overall facial activity declined after saddling and became even more subdued once bridled. Following the ride, oral behaviours such as chewing became more common again, suggesting horses may communicate differently once tack and riding pressures are removed.

The authors conclude that the greatest changes in facial expression were linked not to rider ability but to different stages of the lesson, potentially reflecting anticipation before work and recovery or relief afterwards.

As equitation science continues to reshape understanding of horse behaviour and welfare, subtle facial expressions are emerging as another valuable tool for looking "behind the bridle". While they should never be interpreted in isolation, careful observation of these quiet signals could help riders, coaches and instructors better understand how horses experience their work, refine communication and support more horse-centred training and management practices.

 

For more details, see:

Aveil Oberhammer, Caleigh Copelin, Lais Rabel, Katrina Merkies

Behind the bridle: Understanding facial expressions in lesson horses before and after riding.

Applied Animal Behaviour Science,(2026) Vol 300,106982,

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2026.106982

 

Interested in learning more about subtle behavioural cues, learning theory, and how horses communicate? Discover how the latest research in equine behaviour can help you better understand your horse and build stronger partnerships through informed, welfare-focused training.
Register for Equine Guelph’s 12-week accredited, online course Equine Behaviour, offered in partnership with School of Continuing Studies through the University of Guelph.  Go to:

https://courses.scs.uoguelph.ca/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=17912

 

 

Horses recognise predators by sight alone, even when they appear only on a screen

Experimental setup.  © Z. Benderlioglu CC BY 4.0

Domestic horses can distinguish between a potential predator and a harmless animal using
visual information alone, according to new research from The Ohio State University. The findings suggest that horses are capable of rapidly assessing danger without relying on sound, scent or previous experience, while also revealing that they may conceal signs of stress despite experiencing significant physiological arousal.

As prey animals, horses have evolved sophisticated mechanisms for detecting threats. Previous research has shown that they respond to predators through increased vigilance, flight behaviour and elevated stress levels. However, most studies have examined combinations of visual, auditory and olfactory cues. The latest study is among the first to isolate vision alone, demonstrating that horses can identify a predator even when it is presented as a silent video image.

The researchers studied 18 horses of varying ages and both sexes housed at The Ohio State
University Equine Center. Each horse watched a series of 20-second silent video clips projected onto a screen while wearing a heart rate monitor and being filmed for behavioural analysis.

The control footage showed grazing wombats, a species unfamiliar to the horses but posing no threat. This was followed by clips of wolves, also unfamiliar to the horses, displaying either affiliative behaviours such as grooming or aggressive interactions.

Despite the absence of sound, movement towards the horses or any scent cues, the animals reacted very differently to the two species. Heart rates remained close to baseline while the horses watched the wombats, but increased significantly whenever wolves appeared on the screen. Surprisingly, there was no difference in the horses' responses to wolves that were fighting compared with those calmly grooming one another, suggesting that the horses identified the animals themselves as potential predators rather than responding to the behaviour they were displaying.

Lead author Zeynep Benderlioglu explained that the findings indicate horses engage in rapid cognitive assessment rather than immediately entering a classic fight-or-flight response. Although their heart rates increased markedly, they showed few obvious behavioural signs of anxiety.

Unlike a startled horse that might snort, toss its head or attempt to flee, these horses largely maintained a calm outward appearance while internally experiencing heightened alertness. This disconnect has important implications for both equine welfare and rider safety, as handlers may assume a horse is relaxed when it is actually processing a potential threat.

The study also found differences between individual horses. Male horses exhibited stronger heart rate responses to the wolf videos than females, despite having similar resting heart rates. Horses occupying higher social positions within the herd also showed greater physiological responses. The researchers suggest that dominant horses may play a key role in monitoring danger because other members of the herd often rely on them when making collective decisions about safety.

Age also influenced behaviour, with older horses showing lower levels of fearfulness and social dependency than younger animals.

The team also investigated how the horses viewed the videos. Previous research has suggested horses often use their left eye when assessing threats because the right side of the brain is specialised for processing danger. However, the horses in this study showed almost no preference for left-eye viewing while watching the wolves. Instead, they displayed no clear lateralised gaze, while the harmless wombats were viewed predominantly using binocular vision, suggesting exploratory rather than defensive processing.

The researchers believe this unexpected finding highlights the complexity of equine cognition. Rather than reacting automatically, the horses appeared to evaluate the visual information before deciding that no immediate action was necessary.

Overall, the study demonstrates that horses possess a sophisticated ability to recognise unfamiliar predators using vision alone while masking their internal state. The findings provide new insight into how horses perceive potential threats and underline the importance of recognising that a horse may be experiencing significant stress even when it appears outwardly calm.

For more details, see:

Hofacker R, Sebunia N, Pihlblad J, Benderlioglu Z (2026)

Recognition of unfamiliar predators in domestic horses through only visual predator cues. PLoS One 21(7): e0349298.

 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0349298

Gothenburg Zoo horses remain calm around visitors, study finds

Dennis Björklund CC BY-SA 3.0

  

Visitors to zoos and animal parks often wonder how their presence affects the animals they
come to see. A new study from the University of Gothenburg offers reassuring news for animal keepers and visitors alike: the horses at Gothenburg's Children's Zoo appear comfortable around people, even when surrounded by groups of enthusiastic children.

Animal welfare encompasses both the physical and psychological wellbeing of animals and is a key concern for zoos and other organisations that keep animals in captivity. Understanding how animals respond to visitors is particularly important in facilities involved in conservation and breeding programmes, as stress can negatively affect health and reproduction.

To investigate whether human activity influences the welfare of horses at Slottsskogen, a large city park in Gothenburg, Sweden, researchers from the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, monitored the heart rates of eight Gotland russ horses. Heart rate is widely used as an indicator of stress because it rises when animals experience physical exertion or emotional strain.

Lead researcher Isidora Dundjerovic and her colleagues fitted the horses with Polar heart rate monitors and measured their heart rates under three different conditions: while resting, during exercise, and during a playground event in which the horses stood in a paddock next to a children's play area and were petted by visitors while eating hay.

The results showed clear differences between the three situations. The horses' average resting heart rate was 42.5 beats per minute (bpm), while exercise increased it to an average of 85 bpm. During the playground event, however, the average heart rate was only 51 bpm - higher than at rest but far below the level recorded during exercise.

These findings suggest that interaction with visitors was not a significant source of stress for the horses. In fact, despite being surrounded by children and adults, the animals remained relatively calm throughout the event.

The study also provided insight into how the horses reacted to other common features of the urban park environment. During their daily walks, the horses encountered barking dogs, passing cars and other animals. None of these appeared to trigger a measurable stress response.

One exception stood out. During one playground session, an excavator unexpectedly started operating close to the paddock. The horses' heart rates rose sharply, and they quickly moved away from the machine. This reaction indicated that loud mechanical noise was stressful, unlike the presence of visitors or routine park activity.

"Horses have lived alongside humans for thousands of years," says Dundjerovic. "We now know a little more about how they are affected by being in an environment with lots of people, which is important for ensuring their welfare."

The findings are encouraging for the staff responsible for caring for the animals at the Children's Zoo. According to zoologist Linda Thelin, animal welfare is monitored closely through a variety of methods, and physiological studies such as this help identify sources of stress that may not be obvious from behaviour alone.

As zoos continue to balance conservation, education and public engagement, studies like this provide valuable evidence to guide management decisions. For the horses at Gothenburg's Children's Zoo, it appears that friendly human attention is not a problem - but noisy construction equipment is another matter entirely.

 

For more details, see:

Dundjerovic, I., and L. U. Sneddon. 2026.

Heart Rate as an Indicator of Stress in Gotland's Russ Horses.

 Zoo Biology 45: 293-299.

https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.70052

Feral horses shape their landscapes, study finds

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 Across Europe, many natural landscapes are undergoing rapid change. Warmer temperatures and increased
rainfall are accelerating the growth of shrubs and trees, gradually turning open habitats into dense woodland. While this process, known as ecological succession, is natural, it can threaten species that depend on light, open environments, such as wildflowers and insects. Traditionally, land managers have controlled this by cutting back vegetation. However, new research suggests that large grazing animals like horses and cattle may offer a more natural and effective solution.

This approach, known as trophic rewilding, involves introducing free-ranging herbivores into landscapes and allowing them to shape vegetation through their natural behaviour. A recent five-year study carried out in Denmark at the Mols Laboratory has provided valuable insight into how this works in practice. Researchers from Aarhus University tracked the movements of feral horses (Equus ferus caballus) and cattle (Bos taurus) across a 120-hectare rewilding site to understand how their grazing patterns influence vegetation.

Using GPS collars fitted to the animals and satellite data measuring vegetation growth (NDVI), the researchers were able to link where the animals spent their time with how the landscape changed over several years. The results showed that both horses and cattle preferred open grassland areas over dense woodland. In these frequently used areas, grazing and trampling reduced plant biomass and slowed the growth of shrubs and trees. As a result, these patches remained open for longer, supporting species that rely on sunlight and low vegetation.

However, the animals did not use the landscape evenly. Instead, they created a patchwork of heavily grazed and lightly grazed areas. This uneven grazing pattern is important because it increases habitat diversity, leading to a more varied and resilient ecosystem. Rather than maintaining a uniform landscape, the animals’ natural choices produced a dynamic mosaic of habitats.

Interestingly, the study also found that horses and cattle are not as similar as they are often assumed to be. While both species preferred similar grazing areas during times of abundance, their behaviour diverged when food became scarce. They began to use different parts of the landscape and exploit different food sources. This difference in “functional roles” is beneficial, as it enhances the overall impact on vegetation and promotes biodiversity more effectively than a single species would.

Another key finding was the influence of human-made structures. Both horses and cattle were strongly attracted to an artificial shelter within the study area, particularly the horses. This had a noticeable effect on grazing patterns, concentrating activity in specific areas. The researchers highlighted that the placement of infrastructure such as shelters or water troughs can unintentionally shape animal movement and, therefore, vegetation patterns. This is an important consideration for future rewilding projects.

The study also examined how the system responded to extreme weather, specifically the severe European drought of 2018. Areas that were heavily grazed showed the greatest decline in vegetation during the drought but also recovered the fastest afterwards. This ability to recover, known as resilience, suggests that grazing animals may help ecosystems better withstand climate extremes. However, when the herbivore population was later reduced by around two-thirds, the landscape became generally greener, indicating that the continued presence of grazing animals is essential to maintain open habitats.

Overall, the research demonstrates that year-round grazing by horses and cattle can effectively slow vegetation succession and prevent landscapes from becoming overly dense. For horse owners and equine science students, this highlights an important ecological role for horses beyond sport and recreation. When managed appropriately, horses can act as powerful agents of environmental change, contributing to biodiversity conservation and sustainable land management.

At the same time, the study emphasises that rewilding is not about leaving animals entirely  unmanaged. Animal welfare remains a priority, with populations carefully monitored to ensure that the land can support them. This balance between natural processes and responsible management is key to the success of rewilding initiatives.

In summary, horses and cattle do more than graze; they actively shape the landscapes they inhabit. By understanding their behaviour and ecological impact, we can use them to create healthier, more diverse environments in a changing world.

For more details,see:

Kristensen, Jeppe Å., Robert Buitenwerf, Emilio Berti, Oskar L. P.Hansen, Simon D.Schowanek, Rasmus Ejrnæs, Morten D. D.Hansen, Kent Olsen, Signe Normand, and Jens-Christian Svenning.

Space-Use by Feral Cattle and Horses Shapes Vegetation Structure in a Trophic Rewilding Area.”

Ecological Applications2026: 36(1): e70170

 https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.70170

 

Do horses grieve the loss of a companion?

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Horses are highly social animals that form close bonds with other members of their group.
Because of this, it is reasonable to expect that the loss of a companion may affect their behaviour and emotional wellbeing. 

However, until recently, there has been surprisingly little scientific research into how hoes respond to the death of another horse. A study led by Claire Ricci-Bonot and Daniel Mills at the University of Lincoln, with MSc student Emily Wilson, alongside Stefania Uccheddu of the San Marco Veterinary Clinic and Laboratory, Padua, Italy aimed to address this gap. 

The researchers used an online survey of horse carers in the UK, collecting data on 325 horses that had experienced the loss of a companion. Information was gathered on management, the relationship between the horses, and the behavioural responses of the surviving horse both immediately after the death and over the following months. 

The results showed that most horses displayed noticeable behavioural changes within 24 hours of losing a companion. These changes were often linked to increased arousal, such as restlessness or agitation, which was reported in nearly 89% of cases. Many horses also showed altered behaviour towards other horses and humans (around 77%), increased alertness to their surroundings (73%), and more frequent vocalisation (69%). In addition, over two-thirds of horses increased their movement, while more than half reduced their feeding time and contact-seeking behaviour with humans. 

These responses suggest that horses may experience something like grief-related behaviours. In Equus ferus caballus, such changes could reflect stress, confusion, or the disruption of a social bond. Importantly, the type of relationship between the two horses influenced the severity of the response. Horses that had formed close or affectionate bonds, rather than simply coexisting, were more likely to show stronger behavioural changes. For example, they were more likely to alter their enthusiasm for social interaction or feeding, and their behaviour towards humans. 

Another key finding was the impact of witnessing the death. Horses that had seen their companion die were more likely to show immediate changes in feeding and sleeping behaviour, as well as increased vigilance and altered social responses. This suggests that awareness of the death event itself may influence how horses process the loss. Interestingly, whether the surviving horse was allowed to spend time with the body did not appear to affect behaviour in the first 24 hours. 

However, over the longer term (up to six months), differences became clear. Horses that were given the opportunity to investigate or remain with the body were less likely to show ongoing changes in vocalisation and social behaviour. In contrast, those that were not allowed this contact were more likely to remain in a heightened state of arousal and vigilance. 

This finding has important implications for horse management and welfare. Although many behavioural changes began to decrease over time, some persisted for up to six months, indicating that the effects of losing a companion can be long-lasting. The degree of impact varied between individuals, suggesting that factors such as personality, environment, and previous experiences may also play a role. 

Overall, this study provides evidence that horses may exhibit behaviours consistent with grief, although further research is needed to fully understand the emotional processes involved. These findings highlight the importance of considering the social and emotional needs of horses, particularly during times of loss. Allowing horses appropriate time and space to adjust, and recognising signs of stress or behavioural change, can help support their welfare during what may be a challenging period 

 For more details, see: 

Claire Ricci-Bonot, Emily Wilson, Stefania Uccheddu, Daniel Simon Mills, 

Grief-like distress responses in horses after the death of a conspecific. 

Applied Animal Behaviour Science (2025) Vol 292,106799, 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106799

Feeding strategies for horses with severe asthma: effects on behaviour and welfare

    

Equine asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that can be triggered or worsened by inhaling
dust, mould, or other airborne particles commonly found in conventional dry hay. Managing the diet is an essential part of treatment, as feed type can influence not only respiratory health but also time budgets and welfare-related behaviours.

Recent research has compared the effects of feeding steamed hay and alfalfa pellets on horses suffering from severe asthma, shedding light on how different low-dust diets affect feeding behaviour, lung health, and overall well-being.

In a controlled study involving nine severely asthmatic horses, Antoine Symoens  and colleagues at the University of Montreal, Canada evaluated the effects of two low-dust feeding regimes - alfalfa pellets and steamed hay - on feeding duration, activity patterns, and gastric health.

The horses were housed indoors and first fed dry hay to induce a clinical flare-up of asthma. They were then placed on either steamed hay or alfalfa pellets for four weeks, using a crossover design so that each horse experienced both diets. Their behaviour was recorded for 18–22 hours at multiple stages during the trial, and gastroscopies were performed before and after each feeding period to assess gastric ulcers.

Results showed clear differences in eating patterns between the two diets. When fed steamed hay, horses spent a consistent proportion of their day eating - about 48% - both during the first and fourth weeks of feeding. In contrast, when horses were switched to pellets, the time they spent eating dropped significantly by roughly one-third in the first week. Interestingly, horses on the pelleted diet appeared to adapt by breaking up their feeding into shorter, more frequent meals, a pattern described as “fragmented eating.” This adjustment might help maintain some degree of natural foraging behaviour despite the rapid consumption time associated with pellets.

From a welfare perspective, steamed hay appears to preserve a more natural feeding time budget. Horses in the wild spend most of their day grazing, and maintaining this prolonged eating activity is associated with better digestive health and lower risk of behavioural issues such as boredom or stereotypies. Short feeding times, as seen with pelleted diets, can disrupt this pattern, potentially leading to frustration or undesirable behaviours.

However, feeding choices must also consider respiratory benefits. Earlier findings have shown that while steamed hay is much less dusty than untreated hay, it may be less effective than alfalfa pellets at improving lung function in asthmatic horses. Therefore, while steamed hay supports more natural feeding behaviour, pellets may provide a stronger advantage for respiratory management. Importantly, the study found that neither diet had an influence on the occurrence of squamous gastric ulcers, an encouraging finding for owners concerned about ulcer risk.

In practical terms, managing an asthmatic horse’s diet involves balancing multiple factors. Replacing dusty or mouldy hay with low-dust alternatives, such as haylage, steamed hay, or suitably formulated pellets, can help reduce respiratory irritation. For overweight or laminitis-prone horses, haylage may not be ideal due to its higher energy content, making steamed hay a more moderate choice. Combining different low-dust feeds could offer the best compromise, supporting both lung health and natural feeding behaviour.

In conclusion, when feeding horses with severe asthma, steamed hay helps maintain normal feeding time and behaviour, contributing positively to welfare, whereas pelleted diets offer greater respiratory benefits but may shorten eating duration. Selecting or combining these diets thoughtfully allows owners to meet both the physiological and behavioural needs of asthmatic horses.

 

For more details, see:

Antoine Symoens, Mathilde Leclère, Valentine André, Marion Desmarchelier,

Behavioral effects of two diets used for the management of severe equine asthma,

Journal of Veterinary Behavior, (2026) Vol 84, pp34-40,

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2025.12.007

Response of horses and donkeys to fireworks in the UK

© Igor Akimov Dreamstime.com

   

Fireworks are widely used in the United Kingdom to mark celebrations such as Bonfire
Night and New Year's Eve. While these displays are enjoyable for many people, they can create significant challenges for animal welfare. Research has long shown that fireworks can cause stress and fear in companion animals such as dogs and cats, but comparatively little attention has been given to their effects on equids. 

A study by Stephanie Gerow and colleagues at the University of Lincoln aimed to address this gap by investigating how fireworks affect horses and donkeys in the UK.

The researchers conducted an anonymous online survey of equid owners aged 18 and over. In total, 1,234 horse owners and 232 donkey owners participated. The survey explored three main areas: how horses and donkeys respond to fireworks, what strategies owners use to reduce their impact, and owners’ opinions about firework use.

Horses are prey animals with a strong instinct for flight when faced with sudden or threatening stimuli. Loud, unpredictable noises such as fireworks can therefore trigger intense fear responses. Owners commonly reported behaviours such as running, kicking, bucking, and rearing. These reactions can be dangerous because frightened horses may attempt to escape from fields or stables, sometimes trying to jump fences or climb over stable doors. In severe cases, horses may injure themselves, other horses, or nearby people. Escaping horses can also pose a serious risk to road users if they enter nearby roads.

In the survey, eight percent of horse owners reported that their horse had suffered an injury associated with fireworks. Importantly, these injuries were usually indirect. They were caused by the horse’s reaction to the noise and lights rather than the fireworks themselves. Tragically, incidents involving fireworks have occasionally resulted in the death of horses after they panic and attempt to escape their environment.

Donkeys, in contrast, appeared to show fewer extreme responses according to owner reports. Only one donkey injury was reported in the survey. Researchers suggested that this difference may be related to the behavioural strategies used by the two species. Horses often respond to fear with a “flight or fight” reaction, which involves rapid movement and increases the risk of injury. Donkeys, however, may be more likely to adopt a “freeze” response when faced with a frightening stimulus. This behaviour may reduce the likelihood of injury, although it does not necessarily mean that donkeys experience less fear.

The survey also found that the type of horse may influence perceived reactions to fireworks. Horses used for hunting or competitive sport were generally reported to be less fearful than other horses. This may reflect differences in training, handling, or regular exposure to noisy environments.

Owners reported using a range of strategies to reduce the effects of fireworks on their animals. Common approaches included stabling horses during firework displays, remaining with the animal to provide reassurance, moving the animal to a different location away from fireworks, and playing music to mask sudden noises. Many owners also emphasised the importance of keeping animals in secure, well-lit environments with minimal hazards that could cause injury if the animal becomes frightened.

Although owners often considered these strategies effective, they are not always able to prevent stress or injury completely. Many of these measures also rely on advance warning of fireworks, which is not always available when displays are organised privately.

Most respondents (77%) supported tighter regulations on fireworks, particularly restrictions on when they can be used and reductions in their maximum noise levels. Overall, the findings highlight fireworks as a potential welfare concern for horses and, to a lesser extent, donkeys. Understanding how equids respond to loud and unpredictable stimuli is therefore an important part of equine management and welfare.

 

For more details, see:

 

Gerow SL, Clegg SR, Cooke AS.

Horse and donkey owners' perspectives on fireworks and their impact on equids in the UK.

Anim Welf. (2026) 35:e11.

https://doi.org/10.1017/awf.2026.10068

How Artificial Intelligence could improve fracture detection in horses

Researchers at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) are exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) could help veterinarians detect fractures in animals more quickly and accurately. Their work has been shortlisted for the STEM for Britain 2026 award and highlights how technology developed for human medicine can also benefit animal health and welfare.

Fractures are a major concern in Thoroughbred racehorses. These injuries can affect both a horse’s welfare and its racing career, and in severe cases they can be life-threatening. Studies estimate that around 10% of racehorses experience a fracture during training, while bone injuries occur in roughly 1.3 per 1,000 starts in flat racing. Because of this risk, early and accurate detection of bone damage is extremely important.

However, diagnosing fractures is not always straightforward. Veterinarians usually rely on radiographs (X-rays) to assess suspected bone injuries. While X-rays are very useful, identifying fractures on these images can be challenging. Small cracks or subtle changes in bone structure may be difficult to see, and image quality or the angle at which the X-ray is taken can also affect interpretation. As a result, there is growing interest in using technology such as AI to support clinical decision-making.

The RVC research team developed an AI system designed to analyse medical images and identify fractures. The study was led by Associate Professor of Statistics Dr Ruby Chang, with the research carried out by Dr Hanya Ahmed. To train the system, the researchers created a large database of images that included 100 equine fracture cases collected from two UK equine hospitals and from published studies. They also included 70 feline fracture cases and around 4,000 human fracture images from a public database.

The AI system works in three stages. First, it identifies the type of medical image being analysed, such as an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI scan. Next, it determines the angle or projection of the image. Finally, it analyses the image to detect whether a fracture is present and to pinpoint its exact location.

One particularly interesting feature of the study is the use of a technique called transfer learning. In transfer learning, an AI model is first trained on a large dataset (in this case, thousands of human fracture images). The knowledge it gains is then adapted to a smaller dataset from another field; in this case, veterinary medicine. Because there are far fewer veterinary medical images available for training, this approach helps overcome one of the main challenges of developing AI systems for animal healthcare.

Using this method, the AI system was able to detect and locate fractures in horses with accuracy levels between 71% and 84%, despite having a relatively small number of equine images to learn from. The system also achieved very high accuracy when identifying image types and projections, reaching more than 96% accuracy in some stages of the analysis.

The results suggest that AI could become a valuable support tool for veterinarians. By helping identify fractures more quickly and reliably, AI-assisted systems may reduce uncertainty in diagnosis and allow treatment to begin earlier. This could improve recovery outcomes for horses and other animals.

The research team is now expanding the project through collaboration with the Hong Kong Jockey Club. The next goal is to investigate whether AI can detect early bone changes before a fracture occurs. If successful, this could help prevent serious injuries in racehorses and improve welfare within the sport.

Although the current study focuses on horses, the approach could also be adapted for other species such as cats, dogs, and potentially humans. Overall, the research demonstrates how advances in AI and medical imaging could play an increasingly important role in the future of veterinary diagnostics.

 

For more details, see:

Ahmed, Hanya T., Dagmar Berner, Qianni Zhang, Kristien Verheyen, Francisco Llabres-Diaz, Vanessa G. Peter, and Yu-Mei Chang. 2026.

Bridging Species with AI: A Cross-Species Deep Learning Model for Fracture Detection and Beyond

Bioengineering 13, no. 2: 213.

https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering13020213

Does starting racehorses early affect their careers? Insights from a German study

 

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When should racehorses begin training and competition? This is a long-standing question in equine science and
welfare. While many horses in other disciplines do not start ridden work until they are around three or four years old, Thoroughbred racehorses are often introduced to training much earlier. A recent study using data from German Thoroughbred racing has explored whether starting training and racing at a young age affects a horse’s racing career.

The research, led by Mailin Hein and colleagues at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover in collaboration with Dr Monica Venner from the Equine Clinic Destedt, analysed historical racing data to investigate whether early training leads to shorter or less successful careers. The team used records from the German Racehorse Association, examining the racing histories of 600 Thoroughbred horses.

Racehorses typically begin training at 18–24 months of age and may race as two-year-olds. However, horses do not reach full skeletal maturity until around six to eight years of age, meaning their bones and joints are still developing during early training. Because of this, some experts question whether starting intense work too early could increase injury risk or shorten a horse’s racing career.

The debate is particularly relevant in Germany. German animal welfare legislation generally prohibits training or competing with horses younger than 30 months, although Thoroughbred racing is currently exempt while researchers investigate the welfare implications of early training.

The researchers carried out a retrospective study, meaning they analysed existing records rather than conducting a new experiment. The 600 horses in the dataset were divided into three groups depending on when they began training and racing:

• Early training / early racing – horses that entered training between 16 and 24 months and raced as two-year-olds
• Early training / late racing – horses trained early but did not race until after the age of two
• Late training – horses that began training later, between 25 and 30 months

The researchers compared several indicators of racing success between the groups. These included career length, performance ratings, total number of races, and lifetime earnings.

One interesting finding was that sex influenced career length. Geldings (castrated male horses) tended to have longer racing careers than other horses. This is likely because stallions and mares may retire earlier to enter breeding programmes, while geldings do not have this option. Because of this difference, the researchers looked at geldings as a separate group.

Among geldings, horses that started racing at two years old achieved higher maximum performance ratings than those that first raced at three years of age or later. Importantly, the early-racing group did not show shorter racing careers compared with horses that started racing later.

Overall, the study found no evidence that early training or racing at two years old had a negative effect on career length or performance in the horses analysed.

The findings suggest that, at least in this group of German Thoroughbreds, beginning training and racing at a young age did not appear to reduce racing success or shorten careers. However, the researchers emphasise that the results should be interpreted carefully.

Because the study used historical data, it cannot fully explain why some horses started racing earlier than others. For example, horses that mature physically earlier may naturally be selected to race sooner. Horses with health problems may also leave training early and therefore not appear in racing records.

The researchers suggest that future studies should include veterinary records, training information, and management factors, such as housing conditions and workload. Understanding these factors could help scientists evaluate how a horse’s physical development, health, and mental wellbeing influence its ability to cope with early training.

Ultimately, research like this aims to improve the welfare and management of racehorses, helping trainers and veterinarians make evidence-based decisions about when young horses should begin their athletic careers.

 

For more details, see: 

 

Hein, Mailin, Nina Volkmann, Jeanette Probst, Nicole Kemper, and Monica Venner. 2026.

Thoroughbred Geldings′ Career: Influence of Age at the Start of Training and Racing

Animals 16, no. 4: 576.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16040576