Digital hoofprints: A Positive Approach to Horse Welfare a Focus for Adelaide Hills Seminar

How horse owners communicate on social media about horse welfare reflects on the sport or recreation activity in which they participate. A seminar for horse owners and organisation representatives will discuss differences between the common term ‘good care’ and the less understood areas related to ‘positive welfare’.

Horse SA has invited Victorian based Dr Andrew McLean as a guest speaker at a seminar scheduled for Hahndorf on Thursday 16 May at 7pm. Horse owners will have the opportunity to discuss the difference between the popular ‘Five Freedoms’ and the adaptable ‘Five Domains’ animal welfare assessment models.

With a society that is increasingly recognising animal sentience, and animal agency, and applies anthropomorphic language to human-animal relationships, there is an a raised awareness amongst horse owners about the need to find out more about how to talk positively about welfare.

“Often horse owners or official organisational communications talk about welfare in non-specific terms using words such as ‘well-being’ said Julie Fiedler, Executive Officer for Horse SA. “For our sport and recreation activities to remain sustainable and relevant into the future, and for the continual improvement of welfare for horses themselves, we have provided this opportunity to gain insights into contemporary knowledge and attitudes”.

The seminar is open to any horse owner, horse business employee or organisation representative. Seminar participants will take home a DIY horse welfare starter plan.

Tickets start at $33 for Horse SA members, or $55 general admission for pre-purchased tickets or $70 at the door on the night.

Further information and event tickets https://www.horsesa.asn.au/horse-sa-events