As public scrutiny around horse welfare and competitive sport grows, the equestrian world is increasingly seeking answers to one important question: what does happiness look like for a horse — and how can we measure it?
A new study by University Centre Askham Bryan (UCAB), in partnership with Newcastle University, is helping to unravel this mystery. Their research focuses on the relationship between a horse’s personality and its emotional wellbeing, with the aim of understanding how different horses experience and respond to pleasure.
The study tested how horses reacted to various positive experiences — such as high-value treats, wither scratching, positive reinforcement training, and the presence of a companion. While all the horses received the same experiences, the emotional responses varied depending on the individual animal’s temperament and prior experiences.
“This is particularly important in today’s climate,” the researchers said, “where the concept of social license — the public’s acceptance of horse use in sport and leisure — is being questioned. Understanding how to create positive emotional states in horses is essential to protecting and improving welfare, especially in competitive environments.”
To explore this, the researchers observed 20 healthy horses of different breeds and ages. Each horse’s personality was assessed using a standardised questionnaire completed by their owners. Researchers then monitored a variety of behavioural and physiological indicators while the horses were exposed to the four pleasurable experiences.
Across all the tests, they recorded 27 different signs of potential enjoyment and relaxation, including ear positions, breathing patterns, heart rate, and cortisol levels in saliva. Although the horses reacted differently to the same stimuli, the team was able to create a list of measurable markers that could help researchers and practitioners assess positive welfare states in horses going forward.
Unlike earlier studies, this research places strong emphasis on the role of individual personality in shaping a horse’s emotional experience. The findings suggest that a one-size-fits-all approach to equine happiness may fall short — and that understanding the character of each horse is key to supporting their wellbeing.
You can read the full research study here.