Selective breeding for sport horse performance has created welfare concerns including heritable conditions, overbreeding from popular stallions, and the welfare of horses not meeting performance standards.
Sport horse breeding creates welfare issues that are less visible than factory farming but no less real. Selection for extreme traits — hyperflexion in dressage breeding, huge jump scope in showjumping lines — can prioritize performance at the expense of soundness and health. OCD and other developmental orthopedic conditions affect large proportions of some breeds, causing painful joint problems. Horses that fail to meet performance standards face welfare risks from neglect or premature retirement without adequate rehoming support. Responsible breeding programs balance performance selection with health testing, genetic diversity, and consideration of the welfare of horses throughout their lifespans, not just at their performance peak.