Companion Animals

Horse Competitive Sport Welfare Standards

Equestrian competition raises significant welfare questions about training practices, transport, and performance pressure. Evidence-based standards improve outcomes.

Key Facts

FEI welfare regulations cover prohibited substances, tack, and training methods
Rollkur (hyperflexion of the neck) is banned in the warm-up arena but enforcement varies
Transport to international events involves long journeys with associated welfare risks
Some competition disciplines involve high-impact activities with injury risk
Video monitoring of warm-up arenas has been used to detect welfare violations

Welfare Considerations

Competition horses face welfare challenges including intense training pressure, transport stress, and performance-related injury risk. Rollkur causes pain and respiratory compromise. Strong, consistently enforced welfare regulations at all levels of competition are essential, alongside a culture change that prioritises horse welfare over competitive success.

What You Can Do

Support FEI and national federation welfare initiatives in equestrian sport
Advocate for transparent enforcement of warm-up arena welfare rules
Choose to support competitions with visible welfare monitoring and enforcement