Welfare and Social Licence

What Is Welfare?

Animal welfare pertains to the overall health and well-being of animals, encompassing their physical, mental, and emotional states. For horses, this means providing proper nutrition, clean living conditions, exercise, access to water, and veterinary care. It also involves considering their natural behaviors and social needs. Ensuring good welfare is not just an ethical duty, but also carries legal responsibilities in many places. It is crucial for anyone involved with horses to be well-informed and committed to upholding their welfare.

The Five Domains

At EqussAdvance, we are always looking to improve welfare and keep up with the latest scientific practices. At this moment, we are implementing the Five Domains Welfare framework as the basis for equine welfare.

The Five Domains Model is a framework used to assess animal welfare based on the understanding that an animal's well-being is influenced by both negative and positive experiences across five key domains: Nutrition, Physical Environment, Health, Behavioural Interactions with the environment, and Behavioural Interactions with humans. Each domain encompasses factors that can either compromise or enhance the animal's welfare. The model emphasises the importance of scientifically informed judgement rather than rigid numerical grading, recognising that precision in assessing welfare may be limited in certain circumstances.

In addition, the model acknowledges that animals possess the capacity for conscious agency, allowing them to engage in goal-directed behaviours. This agency is most prominent in their interactions with their environment, other animals, and humans. Positive experiences arising from the exercise of agency lead to positive affective engagement, while hindered agency may result in negative affects. By considering these aspects, the Five Domains Model provides a systematic and comprehensive approach to evaluating animal welfare, taking into account both the physical and psychological well-being of animals.

A Moment In Time

In many cases, instances of poor welfare or equine abuse are unfortunately brushed off as isolated incidents or simply attributed to being 'a moment in time'. This perspective contends that one fleeting moment shouldn't define the entirety of a horse's life or the care it receives. While this notion may hold some truth in specific scenarios, it often serves as a symptom of a deeper, underlying issue. EquusAdvance distinguishes itself by harnessing the power of machine learning to conduct continuous and comprehensive evaluations of every aspect of a horse's well-being. This innovative approach offers an enduring source of assurance for handlers, owners, and concerned observers, instilling confidence in the consistent adherence to high welfare standards. Through this vigilant monitoring, both horse and rider can thrive in an environment where their safety and well-being remain paramount.

Social Licence

A Social License to Operate (SLO) is an intangible yet vital element of an organization or industry's relationship with society at large. It represents the unspoken approval and trust granted by the public for engaging in certain activities. It signifies that an organization is operating in a manner that aligns with societal values, ethical standards, and expectations.

Losing a social license can lead to severe repercussions. It can result in a breakdown of trust and legitimacy, potentially leading to reputational damage and reduced customer loyalty. Moreover, the loss of a social license can invite heightened regulatory scrutiny, making it harder for the organization to conduct its operations. This can ultimately impact financial stability, as a diminished reputation and trust may deter investors and lead to declining revenue streams.

At EquusAdvance, we recognize the paramount significance of maintaining a Social License to Operate (SLO) and appreciate the weight of public sentiment. That's why we are committed to fostering transparency in our operations. By advocating for standardised, ethical welfare practices, we aim to not only preserve the industry that holds a special place in the hearts of many but also to ensure its flourishing future.

Refrences:


Heleski, C. R. (2023). Social License to Operate–Why Public Perception Matters for Horse Sport–Some personal reflections. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 124, 104266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104266


Mellor, D. J., Beausoleil, N. J., Littlewood, K. E., McLean, A. N., McGreevy, P. D., Jones, B., & Wilkins, C. (2020). The 2020 five domains model: including Human–Animal Interactions in assessments of animal welfare. Animals, 10(10), 1870. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10101870


The five domains. (n.d.). https://zooaquarium.org.au/public/Public/Animal-Welfare/The-Five-Domains.aspx