HETI Webinar – What is a happy horse? Measuring positive affective states in equines by Dr. Loni Loftus

Maximising positive emotional welfare is a vital facet of good holistic welfare. In order to be able to evaluate positive emotional welfare in horse we must be able to induce and measure positive affect. This webinar will review the development of positive equine welfare as a scientific sphere and go on to report on the results of research conducted into suitable methods to induce and measure affective state in equines whilst also considering the effect of personality on the intensity of emotional state experienced. Personality is an important facet in equine training and behaviour. Each individual equine is unique in their personality traits and our work with the individual should be reflective of these traits. Personality mediates intensities of emotional state experienced by the individual, an aspect we should remain cognisant of within our work.