Competition horses experience significant psychological and physical stress. Recognizing welfare indicators and balancing athletic demands with horse wellbeing is a responsibility of all equestrian participants.
The relationship between horse welfare and competitive sport is complex. Many horses appear to enjoy certain aspects of their work and have good welfare overall, while others show clear signs of chronic stress, aversion to training, and fear of competition environments. The degree to which horses have agency in their participation and the use of force versus positive motivation are key welfare considerations. Training techniques that use pain, fear, and coercion compromise welfare even when they achieve short-term performance goals. A welfare-positive approach to equestrian sport prioritizes the horse's perspective and emotional state alongside performance.