Horses used in equestrian sport face a range of welfare challenges. Evidence-based assessment of training, competition, and retirement practices is essential for meaningful improvement.
Equestrian sport creates significant welfare risks for horses, many of which are normalised within equestrian culture. Intensive stabling, restricted forage, social isolation, and training methods relying on pressure and release of discomfort are welfare compromises that affect millions of animals. Research increasingly shows that horses perform better and have fewer health problems when managed in ways that meet their biological and social needs: group housing where feasible, ad libitum forage, regular turnout, and positive reinforcement training. Reform requires both cultural change within equestrian communities and structural incentives — including welfare-based judging criteria and transparent health reporting in competition.