Why Horse Welfare is Critical to Your Horses

Mad About Horses

05-02-2024 • 45 mins

In this podcast, Dr. Chris Mortensen, an equine educator and scientist, discusses the five domains model of animal welfare, emphasizing their importance in the management and care of horses.

The discussion unfolds with gratitude towards the listeners, a personal account of meeting renowned autistic animal welfare expert Temple Grandin, and an introduction to the five domains - nutrition, physical environment, health, behavioral interactions, and mental state.

Using real-life examples, from personal experiences to historical instances, Dr. Mortensen highlights the importance of each domain and how they contribute to a horse’s overall welfare. The podcast urges horse owners to seek expert advice when needed and treats horses' welfare as a moral and legal responsibility, aiming to ensure a life worth living for these magnificent creatures.

Podcast Timeline

00:00 Introduction and Gratitude

00:47 Meeting Heroes and Their Impact

01:48 The Inspiring Story of a Renowned Animal Behavior Scientist

06:00 The Importance of Animal Welfare

06:14 The Influence of Temple Grandin on Animal Welfare

08:37 The Evolution of Animal Welfare Standards

09:00 Understanding Animal Rights vs Animal Welfare

13:59 Historical Perspective on Animal Welfare

20:00 Foundation of Modern Animal Welfare

24:25 The Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare

29:00 The Five Domains of Animal Welfare

30:10 Important of Nutrition to Horse Welfare

34:22 Importance of Environment to Horse Welfare

38:05 Importance of Health to Horse Welfare

39:16 Importance of Behavior & Mental State to Horse Welfare

43:20 Conclusion and Gratitude

Visit https://madbarn.com/mad-about-horses/ to learn more about the Mad About Horses podcast.

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Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners, handlers and practitioners through research, training and education.

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