Show jumping is a popular equestrian sport with welfare dimensions including appropriate training methods, course design, and the selection of horses suitable for jumping competition.
Show jumping welfare encompasses the physical demands of the sport, the training methods used to prepare horses, and the management of horses whose competitive careers end through injury or unsuitability. The welfare case for show jumping is not that it inherently causes suffering, but that welfare risks arise from excessive training loads, inappropriate training methods, and failure to recognise and respond to early pain signs. Horses that demonstrate reluctance to jump or change in behaviour during jumping training should be assessed for pain before behavioural causes are assumed. Course design, horse selection, and training method standards all affect welfare outcomes.