Welfare Challenges Across the Horse Industry

A cross-sector analysis of welfare issues affecting horses in racing, showing, sport, working roles, and companion ownership.

Key Facts

There are approximately 60 million horses worldwide in various forms of use
Racing fatalities, while declining, remain significant welfare concerns
Over 100,000 horses are slaughtered for meat in Europe annually
Working horses in lower-income countries often lack veterinary care and suffer from overwork
The pleasure horse sector faces issues of chronic pain from poor saddle fit and dental problems

Welfare Considerations

Horses experience welfare challenges across every sector of use. Racing horses face musculoskeletal injury risk and early intense training before skeletal maturity. Sport horses experience chronic back pain from poorly fitting tack and unbalanced riding. Working horses in developing countries often work to exhaustion with untreated lameness and parasites. Even companion horses suffer from obesity, respiratory problems in stables, and social isolation. The scale and diversity of the horse welfare problem make it one of the most significant in companion animal care.

What You Can Do

Support the five-year welfare assessment for all horse ownership
Choose riding schools with good horse welfare standards
Advocate for mandatory veterinary inspection of working horses in developing contexts
Support international organizations improving working equid welfare
Never purchase horses from sellers who cannot demonstrate health and welfare history