Horse Welfare in Sport: Racing, Eventing, and Endurance

Equestrian sports raise welfare concerns including injury, overtraining, inappropriate equipment use, and transport stress for horses at all levels.

Key Facts

Around 200 racehorses die each year at UK racetracks from race-related injuries
Equine gastric ulcers affect an estimated 60-90 percent of racehorses due to intensive training and feeding
Rollkur or hyperflexion in dressage causes physical discomfort and psychological distress in horses
Endurance racing has faced welfare scandals with horses collapsing from exhaustion
The FEI regulates international equestrian sports but enforcement of welfare standards is uneven
Grand National falls have prompted debate about horse welfare in high-stakes jump racing

Welfare Considerations

Horses in sport are subjected to physical demands, equipment pressures, and transport stress that frequently compromise their welfare. The glamour of elite equestrian sport can obscure serious suffering. Advocates should support welfare-based reforms to equipment rules, veterinary oversight, and race conditions, and challenge practices like rollkur that are accepted despite causing demonstrable harm.

What You Can Do

Support FEI and national federation reforms to improve equestrian welfare standards
Advocate for banning hyperflexion and other harmful training techniques in dressage
Follow horse welfare organisations and racing reform campaigns
Engage with the public debate about Grand National and jump racing safety
Support research into equine stress indicators and welfare assessment tools