Millions of horses worldwide continue to perform working roles in agriculture, tourism, and transport, raising welfare questions about appropriate workloads, rest, veterinary care, and end-of-life planning.
Working horses provide livelihoods for millions of people in developing countries, creating complex welfare challenges that cannot be solved by simply removing animals from work. For many communities, working equids are irreplaceable economic assets and their welfare is intertwined with family food security. The most effective welfare interventions provide accessible veterinary care, harness fitting, nutrition advice, and owner education — improving conditions rather than eliminating work that communities depend on. In wealthy countries, working horse welfare requires evidence-based standards for workloads, rest, footing, and retirement.