The Brooke - What issues are recorded?

Descriptive information

Initially descriptive information about the animal and the time and location of the assessment is recorded. This includes the time of assessment, the type of work the animal carries out, its species, gender and age.

Assessment of the age of a horse in Afghanistan

Behavioural indicators

The second category of observations relate to an animal’s behaviour. A series of observations are recorded relating to the animal’s general attitude (alertness to the outside world) and its responses and interactions, or lack of them with the welfare assessors.

General health observations

Information is recorded about an animal’s general health. This includes recording the body condition of the animal (how fat or thin it is), its coat health (whether areas of scurf, scabs, dandruff or matted hair are present on its neck coat) and any signs of faecal soiling on its hindlegs (this may indicate that an animal is suffering from diarrhoea).

Body wounds

The fourth set of observations relate to the anatomical location and severity of body lesions. The animal is fully examined and all areas are carefully observed. This includes under all pieces of harnesses and equipment and in those often forgotten areas such as under the chin, under the belly and under the tail. All wounds measuring greater than 4cm² are recorded on the specially devised checklist.

Limb problems, including lameness and abnormal gait

Once the whole animal has been examined, the assessor then looks at the animal’s limbs and feet. Abnormalities of conformation, including the presence or absence of cow hocks and swelling of tendons and fetlock joints are recorded along with the quality and shape of the hooves and sole. Finally the animal’s gait is assessed.