Horse welfare legislation has strengthened in many countries over recent decades, but enforcement, identification systems, and protection during transport and slaughter remain areas needing improvement.
Equine welfare legislation has improved the framework for horse protection in many jurisdictions without fully resolving welfare problems that depend on enforcement, cultural practices, and economic incentives that legislation alone cannot address. Passport and microchipping systems intended to improve traceability of horses entering the food chain are undermined by fraud and poor compliance. Welfare enforcement depends on inspector capacity and prosecutorial will that varies enormously. The international dimension of horse welfare, including live export and the use of working horses in countries with limited enforcement capacity, largely falls outside domestic legislation. The working horse population of the developing world, numbering over 100 million animals, experiences welfare conditions that no legislative framework meaningfully addresses. Bridging the gap between strong legislation and effective welfare outcomes requires investment in enforcement, education, and economic incentives beyond the legislative text.