Die psychische Belastbarkeit des (Renn-)Pferdes und deren Feststellung durch Verhaltenstests – Eine kritische Bewertung.

The reviewed guidelines for welfare in horse sport, published by the ministry of nutrition and agriculture, Germany, in July 2020, shall consider comprehensively the topical knowledge resulting from science and practice at its best. These guidelines shall give help for orientation of the interpretation of the general regulations of the animal welfare law. They shall support all people, handling horses, the responsible authorities, and courts, regarding decisions about whether the use of horses corresponds to the prescriptions of the animal welfare law (BMEL, 2020). These guidelines newly take up the examination (and judgement) of the psychic strength of racehorses. New as well: the psychic and physical strength of racehorses from now on shall be established by a qualified veterinary surgeon not only before the first start, but also before the training begins. The recent wording of the guidelines puts at question, whether and how the psychic (and physical) strength can be identified. The following text will especially deal with the question, if, with the help of the results of behaviour tests, statements about the psychic strength are possible. As result of the appraisal of the recent scientific knowledge the following can be stated: The term (“psychic strength”) can only be applied very limited regarding the background of the recent stance of science. In other words, it is about to be a linguistic curtailment, without concrete conceivable content. “Psychic strength” currently can not (and perhaps will not in near future) be understood by current examination protocols or test methods. Behaviour is apprehensible (also in certain situations, i.e., tests). Behaviour does provide indicators, about the current emotional state as well. (Emotional state, understood as control mechanism, which functions as an appeal for preservation or correction of the situation of existence, namely of the own behaviour or the circumstances.) Behaviour tests do not allow for a statement about the prospective behaviour, nor do they about “psychic strength”. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]