Show jumping places significant physical and psychological demands on horses - welfare in competition, training, and selection is receiving increasing scrutiny.
Show jumping welfare encompasses training methods, competition demands, and horse selection. Horses in elite competition face significant physiological stress and injury risk. Training practices that rely on force, pain, or psychological pressure cause welfare harm that affects performance as well as welfare. The FEI has introduced ground rules on training methods but enforcement is challenging. Consumer and spectator preference for demonstrably welfare-positive training and competition creates market pressure for reform. Supporting organisations that advocate for ethical equestrian sport welfare is an effective intervention.