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Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
Assessment of ante mortem welfare indicators and the pathophysiology of captive-bolt trauma in equids at slaughter
Animal welfare, Vol.33, pp.1-17
2024
PMCID: PMC11704570
PMID: 39777369
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Abstract
There is limited research into horse slaughter, particularly ante mortem welfare, and the effectiveness of captive-bolt gun (CBG) stunning, despite this being a widely used method worldwide. To address this evidence gap and explore associations between ante and post mortem factors, the welfare of 62 horses was assessed at a commercial Italian abattoir. Animal-based measures were used to identify stress-related behaviours and stunning effectiveness. A sub-sample (44%; 27/62) of heads were assessed for gross brain pathology. All animals in the study showed stress-related behaviours at all stages of the slaughter process. Additionally, 53% (33/62) of horses slipped in the stunning box, with poor floor surface condition and use of force associated with this. At least one sign of an ineffective stun was observed in 22% (14/62) of animals. Six animals were shot twice, with the application of a second shot significantly associated with a higher stress behaviour index score in the stunning box. Damage to critical brainstem structures was found in 85% (23/27) of heads that were assessed with gross pathology. An absence of damage to critical brainstem structures meant that animals were ten times more likely to show signs of ineffective stunning. These results highlight the risks to equine welfare throughout the slaughter process and suggest that mitigating ante mortem stress could improve stunning effectiveness, whilst CBG usage should be refined to ensure that critical brainstem structures are targeted.
Details
- Title
- Assessment of ante mortem welfare indicators and the pathophysiology of captive-bolt trauma in equids at slaughter
- Creators
- Katharine A. Fletcher - Royal Veterinary CollegeBarbara Padalino - Southern Cross UniversityMartina Felici - University of BolognaDaniele Bigi - University of BolognaGeorgina Limon-Vega - Royal Vet Coll, Dept Pathobiol & Populat Sci, Vet Epidemiol Econ & Publ Hlth Grp, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield AL9 7TA, EnglandAndrew Grist - University of BristolTroy J. Gibson - Royal Veterinary College
- Publication Details
- Animal welfare, Vol.33, pp.1-17
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Number of pages
- 17
- Grant note
- World Horse Welfare
- Identifiers
- 991013293351902368
- Copyright
- © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Universities Federation for Animal Welfare. This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution and reproduction, provided the original article is properly cited.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; Veterinary Science
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article