Champing at the Bit for Improvements: A Review of Equine Welfare in Equestrian Sports in the United Kingdom

Published in Animals #12, May 5 2022

This review summarizes the current evidence on how equestrian sport affects equine welfare and identifies situations in which horses’ wellbeing may be compromised, as well as the efforts being made to improve it. The authors describe animal welfare as a complex and contested concept, clarifying what it means and how it can be assessed.

The report examines a wide range of welfare risks across the entire life cycle of horses used in sport, from foals to retirement. It also includes a unique analysis of the institutions, norms, and social processes that shape equine welfare, highlighting the challenges faced by a diverse group of stakeholders with differing ethics, attitudes, and values.

The review concludes with recommendations for ensuring good welfare for all equines involved in sport, both within the United Kingdom and internationally.

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