Horse welfare linked to owner belief and socioeconomic status, study shows

A first-of-its-kind study conducted by Brooke and the University of Portsmouth shows the welfare of working horses in Senegal is linked to their owners’ beliefs and socioeconomic status. 

In 2022, around 300 Senegalese owners and their horses took part in the study, finding that owners with a stronger belief in horse sentience have more positive attitudes towards them. Belief in horse sentience was also linked to horses with a healthier body condition score, appropriate nutrition and good general health. 

Senegalese owners with a higher income were more likely to own a healthy horse. A strong relationship was discovered between a household’s ability to cover their needs and its horses’ physical welfare, such as providing an adequate diet, suitable housing and veterinary care.

Gemma Carder, Senior Manager for Global Research at Brooke, said:

“It has been a pleasure to collaboratively work with our team in Senegal and the University of Portsmouth, to generate new research that Brooke and our partners can use to inform our programmatic work.”

The study advocates for belief in animal sentience and more effective protection of working horses, who play a vital role in supporting people’s livelihoods.

Communities around the world rely on working animals to generate income through tasks like carrying water, taking produce to market, transporting people and working in agriculture. 

Brooke hopes this research will support communities in ensuring their animals experience good physical and mental health, by exploring factors impacting animal welfare.

Read the full research study here: