Why Horse Welfare is Critical to Your Horses

In this podcast, Dr. Chris Mortensen, an equine educator and scientist, discusses the five domains model of animal welfare, emphasizing their importance in the management and care of horses. The discussion unfolds with gratitude towards the listeners, a personal account of meeting renowned autistic animal welfare expert Temple Grandin, and an introduction to the five domains - nutrition, physical environment, health, behavioral interactions, and mental state. Using real-life examples, from personal experiences to historical instances, Dr. Mortensen highlights the importance of each domain and how they contribute to a horse’s overall welfare. The podcast urges horse owners to seek expert advice when needed and treats horses' welfare as a moral and legal responsibility, aiming to ensure a life worth living for these magnificent creatures. Podcast Timeline 00:00 Introduction and Gratitude 00:47 Meeting Heroes and Their Impact 01:48 The Inspiring Story of a Renowned Animal Behavior Scientist 06:00 The Importance of Animal Welfare 06:14 The Influence of Temple Grandin on Animal Welfare 08:37 The Evolution of Animal Welfare Standards 09:00 Understanding Animal Rights vs Animal Welfare 13:59 Historical Perspective on Animal Welfare 20:00 Foundation of Modern Animal Welfare 24:25 The Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare 29:00 The Five Domains of Animal Welfare 30:10 Important of Nutrition to Horse Welfare 34:22 Importance of Environment to Horse Welfare 38:05 Importance of Health to Horse Welfare 39:16 Importance of Behavior & Mental State to Horse Welfare 43:20 Conclusion and Gratitude Visit https://madbarn.com/mad-about-horses/ to learn more about the Mad About Horses podcast.  --------------------------------- Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners, handlers and practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us to learn more at ⁠⁠https://madbarn.com ⁠⁠ You can also find Mad Barn at: ⁠ Instagram ⁠⁠@madbarnequine⁠ ⁠⁠ Facebook ⁠⁠@madbarnequine⁠⁠ TikTok ⁠⁠@madbarnequine⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠ @madbarn ⁠⁠ We would love to hear from you! Please send any questions or comments to ⁠[email protected]