Horses Used for Educational Purposes in New Zealand: A Descriptive Analysis of Their Use for Teaching

Abstract

Horses are used in practical teaching classes in many equine and veterinary science degree programmes to develop and refine the handling and clinical skills of students. In this study, the activities of 24 teaching horses grouped in three herds were investigated over an entire calendar year. Although also used for research and general husbandry, teaching-related activities were the predominant use of the horses. Herd B was used for a greater number of teaching sessions (median = 28, IQR = 27–29.5 per year) than herds M (median = 21, IQR = 20–21 per year) and T (median = 19.5, IQR = 13.75–25.5 per year), which translates to a relatively low workload (one or two weekly sessions during the teaching semester). Sedation was used in dentistry classes (in alignment with national best practice standards) but was rarely required for other teaching activities. Mare reproductive rectal- and medical rectal examination practical classes (specific to 5th-year veterinary teaching and characterised by more restraint (in stocks)) were significantly shorter and had fewer students per horse than the other practical classes. Although the low workload reported suggests an opportunity to increase students’ exposure to horses without compromising the horses’ welfare, further investigation to determine specific stressors to the horses in the teaching environment may be required.