ABSTRACT
In spite of over 6000 years of domestication, horses’ ethological needs for foraging, movement and social interaction have changed little from their ancestors. Adapting Fraser and colleagues’ (1997) Integrative Model assessing animal welfare, I discuss the imperfect correspondence between modern sport horses’ evolved adaptations and current environmental challenges. Faced with adaptations that no longer serve a useful purpose (e.g. living on sparse forage over huge home ranges), and challenges for which horses do not possess the corresponding adaptions (e.g. solitary confinement) today’s sport horse suffers. Yet, modest management modifications can enhance equine welfare, while still meeting the competitive goals of industry professionals.
