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Thesis topic: Welfare of racehorses: state of play and suggestions of improvement

Two major sources of alteration of welfare in horses are described in scientific literature : housing systems and condition of use by human. Housing systems can impose more or less restrictions regarding horses’natural needs and constraints imposed by housing are now known for having multiple negative impacts on equids welfare. The way which humans ride horses also can have effects on horses well-being. For example, impact on placement of the head imposed by rider have been investigated in many studies since 2010. In horse racing industry, all animals are not subjects to the same constrainsts. Some trotters are kept in pastures in groups whereas in other training centers, horses are housed in individual boxes. It is the same for their training conditions that can be very different. Some trainers limit their use of whip, artificial aids but others systematically use them.

However, in France, little is know about the prevalence of each of these pratices in racehorses. In addition, some constraining pratices are often justified by their postive impact on performance, but is it really ?

The aims of this thesis are to scientifically evaluate the welfare of race horses, trotters and galoppers, in different activities (at the stable, at training and during races) and then, to make recommendations for the practical development of the practices in hirse racing industry when in can improve the well-being of the horses.

Contact:

Noémie Hennes

Mail: noemie.hennes@inrae.fr