New guidelines shared for equine end-of-life welfare
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The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has developed new guidelines to improve end-of-life welfare for horses, mules and donkeys.
Produced in partnership with World Horse Welfare and the Humane Slaughter Association, the College has set out recommendations to improve equids’ welfare before and during slaughter.
The RVC says that its guidelines have been developed based on ‘empirical scientific findings’. They follow research led by PhD student Dr Kate Fletcher, with a team assessing equine welfare in the UK, Italy, Mexico and Ghana.
The project examined equine welfare in regards to behaviour, brainstem reflexes, electroencephalography and pathology in different contexts.
Based on its findings, the RVC has set out the minimum standards that must be met to ensure equid welfare in slaughter scenarios. These standards include species-appropriate handling, clean and dry non-slip flooring, and stunning methods which render animals unconscious prior to slaughter.
The guidelines also recommend that staff are able to recognise the signs of pain and stress in equids.
The RVC says that, despite five million horses and six million donkeys being slaughtered worldwide each year, there has been limited research into different slaughter practices. Previous studies had not be reflecting equid-specific needs, posing risks to their welfare.
Prof Troy Gibson, professor of animal welfare science at the RVC, said: “Millions of equids are slaughtered each year, yet detailed guidance based on empirical research into their welfare during slaughter is limited. Published in partnership with World Horse Welfare and the Humane Slaughter Association, these guidelines bring together scientific evidence to provide practical recommendations for reducing suffering and improving welfare, both in the UK and internationally.
“They are the culmination of Dr Kate Fletcher’s excellent PhD research on equid welfare at slaughter and the collective efforts of the wider team who supported her in examining this important topic. These recommendations can help improve slaughter practices and reduce suffering at the end of these animals’ lives.”
The full guidelines can be found online.
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