ArticleEquine veterinary journal2026
Longitudinal welfare assessment in French jump racehorses during season preparation.
Article in Equine veterinary journal, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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4 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundPublic scrutiny of racehorse welfare is increasing. The preparatory training phase preceding the racing season is potentially a critical period for physical and mental development. Structured welfare assessment protocols have recently been developed, but their use in field conditions remains limited.
objectives(1) To evaluate the field applicability of a racehorse-specific welfare assessment protocol in a professional French jump racing yard; and (2) to explore whether it can detect relevant physical and behavioural changes in young horses during season preparation. STUDY
designLongitudinal observational study with repeated measures.
methodsSixteen two- to three-year-old racehorses (10 Thoroughbreds, 6 French Non-Thoroughbreds) from a single jump racing yard were assessed at three time points (T0, T1, T2) over 5 months before the racing season. Direct observations included environmental conditions, physical health, horse grimace scale (HGS), human-horse relationship tests, and behavioural activity budgets via scan sampling. Mixed-effects models evaluated temporal changes and associated factors.
resultsHorses were healthy, with adequate nutrition and comfort, though no free turn-out and social contact often limited to visual interaction (68%). Body condition score decreased significantly at T1 (β = -0.96; 95% CI: [-1.7, -0.26]; p = 0.007) and T2 (β = -2.0; 95% CI: [-2.9, -1.1]; p < 0.001). Lip commissure lesions were prevalent (external 65%, internal 75%). HGS scores increased significantly at T2 (β = 1.7; 95% CI: [0.85, 2.6]; p < 0.001), and horses with physical social contact had lower scores (β = -1.3; 95% CI: [-2.3, -0.22]; p = 0.02). Behavioural activity budgets showed inter-individual variability. MAIN LIMITATIONS: Small sample size and attrition limit generalisability. Assessments were conducted during routine training days without altering management, occasionally limiting evaluations.
conclusionsStructured welfare assessments are feasible in field conditions, highlight areas for improvement, and can capture relevant changes during jump racing season preparation.
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