Competition horses face welfare challenges from restrictive equipment, overtraining, and pressure to compete when injured.
Competition horses face welfare pressures from owners and trainers motivated by performance outcomes. Horses trained using pain or discomfort through restrictive tack or coercive methods cannot consent and may suffer chronically. Competing horses with injuries causes them pain and risks worsening the injury. Foals bred specifically for competition may be pushed into work before their musculoskeletal systems are mature. The five-year rule requiring results to justify costs creates pressure to compete horses regardless of welfare.