Equine welfare in equestrian sport – why we should all take heed

Mar 6
By Vet Janet Douglas

Equestrian sport is evolving, and not just in rules or competition formats. Increasingly, riders, policymakers, and the public are viewing the welfare of horses in sport through a critical lens. Eventing, as a highly visible sport, must adapt proactively.

The way we approach welfare is also changing because scientific understanding has advanced significantly. Good welfare is no longer just about avoiding harm – and it is about way more than physical health. Today, providing good welfare means maximising positive experiences, minimising discomfort, and supporting mental and physical wellbeing. Horses should not just survive – they should thrive.

It is obvious that we should provide good welfare for the horses’ sake. But it will also help to sway public perception, and this is important. Social norms evolve quickly and what was acceptable 20 years ago may now be ethically questionable.

Roughly 20% of the UK population opposes horse sport entirely, while another 40% will only support it if welfare improves. Ignoring these opinions is risky: history shows industries that resist welfare evolution, like circuses, often collapse, while those that embrace reform, such as modern zoos, flourish.

Eventing is under growing public scrutiny. Riders and organisers must be proactive: transparency, good practice, and welfare leadership are essential. Each rider can make a difference in their yard and community, demonstrating that welfare is taken seriously.

Look after yourself!

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Here’s how to play your part:

Think:
• Ask “Should I?” before “Can I?” e.g., should I gallop today in this heat?
• Consider the horse’s perspective. Would they choose to do this today?

Learn:
• Understand learning theory and how horses communicate stress and pain
• Identify reliable advice and distinguish it from outdated guidance
• Recognise subtle behavioural signs of discomfort and fear

Act:
• Adjust training, competition, and management practices as needed, always putting the horse first
• Prioritise the Three Fs: friends, forage, freedom
• Observe and respond to your horse’s signals
• Champion welfare in your yard and community
Proactive engagement isn’t just a moral duty—it’s an investment in the sport’s future. By prioritising welfare, we strengthen the bonds between horse and rider, improve performance, and safeguard eventing for future generations.

BE Prepared Checklist – Sport-Wide Welfare:
✅ Think before acting: prioritise your horse’s needs over convenience or habit
✅ Learn about equine behaviour, stress signals, and learning theory
✅ Stay informed with current, evidence-based practices
✅ Adjust routines, training, and competition responsibly
✅ Prioritise friends, forage, and freedom daily
✅ Observe and respond to your horse’s signals consistently
✅ Promote welfare in your yard and community

Meet the Professionals

Janet is an equine vet with a background in clinical practice, research, and education. She works for the charity, World Horse Welfare, where she is primarily involved in their work with equestrian sport. She is a member of BE’s Equine Welfare Committee and is also on the Pony Club’s Horsemanship Committee. Janet has published scientific papers and organised conferences that focus on the public acceptance of equestrianism, and on strategies that may facilitate behaviour change within the equestrian community – change that is vital if equestrian sport is to rise to the challenges currently posed by its detractors.
Janet DOuglas
Brad is an equine vet who has spent most of his career in first opinion practice before joining the equine teaching team at Nottingham Vet School. During his time in practice, he realised the importance of understanding equine behaviour coupled with horse handling and restraint. He has embedded the teaching of equine behaviour including equine learning theory into the curriculum at Nottingham and continues to champion a greater understanding of positive equine welfare in the wider equine industry. He has published research, notably looking at weaning and what the effect of weaning related stress may have on the emotional health of horses.
Brad Hill
After being a very busy freelance coach, much of Sam’s additional consultation work involves working hard in protecting the equestrian industry from the current challenges it is seeing. Her work includes encouraging a great deal of strategies and support to help to positively evolve equestrian organisations and their individual’s social attitudes, behaviours and especially their coaching techniques and use of language. This is all leading to a united effort to improve equestrian sustainability, futureproofing and safeguarding, firstly for the horse but also for all stakeholders involved around the horse and all equestrian sport.
Sam York FBHS 

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