b"THE EMPATHETIC HORSE OWNERThe Challenge of Defining EmpathyBasically, empathy is the ability to put yourself in another persons shoesor, in the case of equids, their hooves, says Paolo Baragli, DVM, PhD, researcher and professor specializing in the horse-human connection at the University of Pisa De-partment of Veterinary Sciences, in Italy.But delving into the depths of philoso-phy, psychology, and moral thinking, we would struggle to define empathy within the limits of this magazines front and back covers, he says. Empathy is a seri-ous topic thats not fully clear in humans and has not yet been demonstrated scientifically between horse and human, ISTOCK.COMBaragli says. That doesnt mean it doesnt exist, though. Martin Hoffman, PhD, professorEmpathy can lead to anthropomorphism, a classic example of which is our need to bundle our emeritus of clinical and developmentalunclipped horses in blankets come winter because we believe if were cold, they must be, too.psychology at New York University and leading expert on empathy in humans,even do simple things such as recognizingRedwings Horse Sanctuary, in Hapton, says people can put themselves in theirwhen a noseband is too tight and adjustNorfolk, England. In many of our multi-horses hooves.it adequately so that the horse can copeanimal cases, neglect or deliberate cruelty Yes, its entirely possible to empathizewith the equestrian activity, she adds. to horses is committed by people who, with a horse, Hoffman says. Puttingin our laypersons view, suffer from some oneself in the others place is a majorLess Empathy, More Welfare Issues degree of mental health compromise, he mode of empathic arousal, so its certainlyThe Fdration Equestre Internatio- says, adding that it doesnt dismiss their possible to identify with a horse. nale (FEI) disqualified and suspended anresponsibility. Theyre still held account-But what does identifying with a horseendurance rider in March 2019 for abuseable, as they had the means and capac-mean?after he struck his horse twice with aity to act differently despite this lack of I think it means trying to imaginewater bottle. Essential to the federationsempathy.what the world might be like for them,decision was that Ali Mohd Ali Al HosaniReduced levels of empathy can also putting our own world view aside, saysseemed to show no remorse for his ac- lead to welfare issues such as question-Kirrilly Thompson, PhD, qualitativetions toward LCE Corleone during theable training and management practices, research consultant in Adelaide, SouthSheikh Mohammed Cup CEI 160 km insays Thompson. There are always people Australia. Its about recognizing what weDubai, said the FEI Tribunal. who are afraid to critique their own prac-do and dont share and holding a spacetices, who are too invested, committed, or for the sameness at the same time as a''proud to change, she says. space for the difference. (Empathy) allowsWhat our sources say empathy isnt Misguided Empathy:and what we must distinguish it fromisus to predict and inter- Anthropomorphism & Speciesismsympathy, pity, or compassion. Sympathypret the behaviors andEmpathy often leads to anthropomor-suggests an outsider feel, and pity andphism, which has its pros and cons, our compassion can give room for judgment,intentions of the othersources say. People imagine themselves they say. Empathy is judgment-free,and respond appropri- in an animals place, with human needs, Thompson says. ately to them.thoughts, and emotions, instead of with Empathyincludes a cognitive andthe ethological characteristics for the an emotional component, says TamaraDR. TAMARA TADICH animals unique species. Take this classic Tadich, PhD, an associate professor at theexample of anthropomorphism in horse-University of Chile Faculty of Veterinarykeeping: Im cold, so my horse must Sciences, in Santiago, who has studiedLack of remorse suggests a lack ofbe cold. Ill cover him in blankets, even empathy toward horses. It allows us toempathy, says Tadich, which has beenthough many studies have shown that predict and interpret the behaviors andscientifically linked to aggressive behav- horses are more comfortable in lower intentions of the other and respond ap- iors, including animal cruelty.temperatures than humans. propriately to them.Extreme lack of empathy can even beAnthropomorphism can lead empa-Empathy allows us to provide painpathological, says Nicolas de Brauwere,thetic people to misunderstand what relief or medical assistance to a horse orMRCVS, senior welfare veterinarian athorses like and dislike, says Lisa Ashton, 24November 2019The Horse|TheHorse.comUntitled-17 24 9/25/19 9:38 AM"