Carriage Horse Industry Debate: Additional Scientific Research Necessary

January 31, 2014

New Brunswick, N.J. – Equine researchers at the Equine Science Center at Rutgers University have carefully monitored the ongoing national discussion about the Carriage Horse industry. The New York City Carriage Horse industry, which has been at the forefront of debate, has been of particular interest due to its geographic proximity to Rutgers University. The Center prides itself on responding to emotionally charged issues as the credible primary resource for science-based information on equine-related topics in order to educate the public and policy-decision makers.

The Rutgers Equine Science Center, in keeping with its mission of “Better Horse Care through Research and Education,” has received permission from the editors of the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science to post a research article, currently in press production, which reviewed carriage horse and mule welfare in Charleston, South Carolina. While providing a detailed review of carriage horses, the author concluded that further research studies need to be performed which assess stress levels in carriage horses. To date, there is no science-based information available as to whether or not carriage horses experience physiological stress while working.

Published research by Equine Science Center Director, Karyn Malinowski, Ph.D. demonstrated that horses, performing a specific job, were not physiologically stressed after working. Disciplines included in Malinowski’s research were racehorses, polo ponies, and show-jumpers.

As discussions about the Carriage Horse Industry continue, expert scientists at the Rutgers Equine Science Center assert that further research needs to be conducted in order to assess physiological stress in carriage horses.

For additional information about physiological stress in horses or the Rutgers Equine Science Center, please contact Tiffany Cody at cody@njaes.rutgers.edu or 848-932-9419.