Horses used in therapeutic riding, police work, and other working equine programs face specific welfare considerations that require program-specific welfare standards.
Working equine welfare encompasses programs with very different stress profiles. Therapeutic riding horses work in environments requiring calm acceptance of unusual movements and behaviors from riders - welfare depends on careful selection of horses suited to this work and appropriate stress management. Police horses face very high arousal environments including crowds, noise, and equipment that require exceptional training and welfare management. Working horses in developing countries face the stressors shared with all working equids - overwork, poor hoof care, inadequate nutrition - while providing essential services. All working equine programs should include explicit welfare assessment, adequate rest, and retirement planning.