Abstract The study aimed to assess the effect of two management housing system on breeding horse welfare. An adapted version of the assessment protocol for horses was used for that purposed to this study, with the focus on the animal-based measures section. This includes individual animal scoring of good feeding, good health and appropriate behaviour. The study was conducted in a professional Equine Breeding Centre with a representative set of housing and management systems and practices used for breeding purposes in Spain. A total of 49 stallions stabled individually and 43 broodmares living loose housing in groups were subject for individual scoring. A descriptive statistic for each welfare indicator was calculated. Pearson’s Chi-square test or Fisher’s test were calculated between the different welfare measures and the housing system. Odds ratios were computed to quantify the association of prevalence of welfare issues with husbandry and management practices according to the type of housing. The stallions were almost two and a half times more at risk than mares to exhibit acceptation to the chin contact behavioural test. Broodmares were prone to present significant lower body condition scores (BCS). The prevalence of rubbed and broken hairs in mane and tail (OR = 4.413), gait abnormalities (OR = 5.429), skin lesions in upper and lower legs regions (OR = 2.691) was higher in stabled animals. In contrast, broodmares presented more often with general skin lesions, specifically in withers-back-barrel-girth (OR = 0.349), hindquarters (OR = 0.016) and skin irritation in lower legs (OR = 0.287). The risk factor analysis applying a multivariable logistic regression model disclosed the way that the group housing freedom system management predicted significantly the prevalence of three animal based indicators deviations: one behavioural indicator (fear to the novel object test), one feeding indicator (lower BCS) and one health indicator (harm in lower legs). Highlights The the effect of management housing system on breeding horse welfare could be evaluated using a protocol with special focus on individual animal scoring of feeding, health and behaviour. The major welfare problems identified in the horses housed in individual boxes were associated with confinement and could be minimised with better management of the access to free exercise. The source of fear and aggression in horses living in pastures can greatly improve with intensive and correct human handling and providing sufficient feeding resources.

中文翻译：

---

西班牙陆军马种繁育中心的福利评估

摘要 本研究旨在评估两种管理住房制度对种马福利的影响。为此研究使用了马评估协议的改编版本，重点是基于动物的措施部分。这包括对良好喂养、良好健康和适当行为的个体动物评分。该研究是在专业的马育种中心进行的，该中心拥有一套代表性的住房和管理系统以及西班牙用于育种的实践。总共有 49 匹单独饲养的种马和 43 头散居在群体中的母马进行个体评分。计算了每个福利指标的描述性统计量。Pearson 卡方检验或 Fisher 检验在不同福利措施和住房系统之间进行计算。根据住房类型，计算优势比以量化福利问题与畜牧业和管理实践之间的关联。公马表现出接受下巴接触行为测试的风险几乎是母马的两倍半。母马倾向于呈现显着较低的身体状况评分（BCS）。在稳定的动物中，鬃毛和尾巴的摩擦和断毛（OR = 4.413），步态异常（OR = 5.429），大腿和小腿区域的皮肤病变（OR = 2.691）的发生率较高。相比之下，母马更常出现一般皮肤损伤，特别是马肩隆腰围 (OR = 0.349)、后躯 (OR = 0.016) 和小腿皮肤刺激 (OR = 0.287)。应用多变量逻辑回归模型的风险因素分析揭示了群体住房自由系统管理显着预测三种基于动物的指标偏差的普遍性的方式：一种行为指标（对新物体测试的恐惧），一种喂养指标（较低的 BCS）和一项健康指标（小腿伤害）。亮点 管理住房系统对种马福利的影响可以使用一个协议进行评估，该协议特别关注个体动物的喂养、健康和行为评分。在单独的盒子里饲养的马匹中发现的主要福利问题与禁闭有关，可以通过更好地管理自由运动的机会来最小化。