Horses play central roles in cultural festivals worldwide, from racing and bullfighting to parades and equestrian competitions. Welfare concerns are rising as international scrutiny increases.
Horses in traditional festivals often experience acute welfare harms: exhaustion from racing on unsuitable surfaces, stress from crowd noise and unfamiliar environments, injury from collisions during uncontrolled events, and psychological distress from forced participation in frightening situations. The cultural significance of these events creates tension with welfare advocacy, and regulatory exemptions for tradition reduce the reach of animal welfare law. However, public attitudes are shifting globally, and peaceful advocacy, education, and engagement with event organisers have achieved welfare reforms in some contexts. Some festivals have adopted welfare monitoring, veterinary presence requirements, and surface improvements that meaningfully reduce harm.