- Leading horse sector organisations in Britain welcome findings of their externally-commissioned, independent study recognising social importance of horse sport
- Results confirm ‘we are on the right track’ in prioritising further improvements to equine welfare and safety but there is much more to do
- Study marks the first major collaboration of the leading equestrian bodies and organisations working together to ensure a sustainable future for the equine sector
28 January 2025 – Today the results of a major study into public attitudes on equine welfare and drivers of trust in UK horse sport have been released by leading organisations in Britain’s equine sector who joined together to commission the research in recognition of evolving social values around the involvement of animals in sport and leisure.
Funded with a grant from the Racing Foundation, the study was initiated by World Horse Welfare who delivered the project in collaboration with British Equestrian (including the Olympic disciplines of British Dressage, Eventing and Showjumping), the British Horseracing Authority, The British Horse Society, Hurlingham Polo Association, the British Equine Veterinary Association and The Pony Club among other organisations.
The largest survey of its kind in both scope and depth, the study was conducted by Australian engagement science specialists Voconiq, who have conducted similar studies for the extractive and livestock sectors. The research, which is based on more than 5,000 responses(1), sought to understand not only what the public think about horse sports but also why they think as they do.
The results highlighted that the UK public:
- Recognise the social importance of horses to life in the UK and this was a key driver of trust
- Value procedural fairness(2), regulation, distributional fairness (3) and transparency on welfare as additional drivers of trust – with many of these underpinned by equine welfare standards which play a significant role in shaping their confidence in horse sport
- Have concerns about the welfare of horses in sports but appreciate that welfare is complex and involves more than just preventing harm to horses, and believe it is important that a horse’s whole life is rich, engaging, and dignified
- Feel that horses should have the opportunity to enjoy positive experiences and that their mental wellbeing is as important as their physical welfare (78%+)
- Believe that horse sports should prioritise making competitions safer for horses, even if this means sacrificing some of the traditional difficulty or challenge of the sport (69%)
- In terms of level of concern, are most worried about injuries or fatalities that occur during competition or training, the fate of horses that are bred for competitive sports but fail to perform well, and the post-competition fate of sport horses.
Jim Eyre, Chief Executive of British Equestrian, said:
“We welcome the findings of this research, which is one of the biggest of its kind in the UK and covers our whole sector, from companion horses to those competing across a range of disciplines. The confirmation that we still have public acceptance, despite the difficulties that equestrianism has facedin recent years, is very positive.”
“As an industry, we are united by our passion for the horse and everything we do must have the wellbeing of our equine partners at its heart – something encapsulated in our Charter of the Horse. However, we know there is still more we can do.
“Equestrian sport is an ever-changing landscape and, in proactively commissioning a study that encompasses so many of our equestrian activities, we can use these results to guide future work by us and our member bodies. We look forward to safeguarding the place of the horse in society as we demonstrate to the public that they’re right to put their trust in us.”
James Given, Director of Equine Regulation, Safety and Welfare at the British Horseracing Authority, and member of racing’s Horse Welfare Board, said:
“There is real strength in coming together as a horse sports sector to share best practice and to address what matters most for the horse and to the public. This research shows that British Racing is on the right track with the work it is undertaking, but there is always more to be done. We are already investing in projects around safety, wellbeing, traceability, and supporting Thoroughbreds in their life after racing. And, with the launch of HorsePWR, we are transforming how we communicate with the public to help build trust through openness and transparency. Our investment in equine welfare will only increase as we move forward.”
Roly Owers, Chief Executive of World Horse Welfare, said:
“With society changing around us it is so important that we in the horse world listen to how others see our relationship with horses, so we are delighted that our sector has been so proactive in seeking to understand public views.
What is especially encouraging is how the sector has come together to learn from these results and is committed to work together to act on them, recognising that building public trust on welfare is about concrete actions and not just about words.”
Tansy Challis, Chief Executive of the Racing Foundation, said:
“As part of our commitment to supporting a sustainable future for horseracing, the Racing Foundation is proud to have funded this important research on public sentiment towards horse sports and leisure in the UK.
“This study offers valuable insights into how ethical considerations, environmental impacts, and the social role of horses shape public trust.
“Understanding these attitudes is essential to strengthening our industry’s social licence, enabling us to address challenges and secure public support.
“We hope the findings will inspire meaningful action across the sector as a whole and guide collaborative efforts to strengthen social licence across the equestrian landscape.”
British horse sport has always integrated welfare and safety improvements into its operations, and has increased its efforts in recent years as the values of society – including those involved within horse sport – have evolved, including:
- 2019 British Racing establishes independently chaired Horse Welfare Board
- 2020 British Racing’s Horse Welfare Board publishes welfare strategy ‘A Life Well- Lived’
- 2022 British Equestrian supports creation of FEI’s Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission and establishes Equine Welfare and Ethics Advisory Group
- 2022 British racing publishes findings of an extensive public and industry consultation regarding use of the whip, resulting in further increased controls on use and penalties for breaches
- 2022 British racing changes colour of all fence markers across every racecourse from orange to white based on Exeter University research findings into equine vision
- 2023 British racing begins partnership with the Royal Veterinary College on its data-driven Racing Risk Model to inform decision making to reduce risk
- 2023 HPA updates its rules around use of whips and spurs and publishes extreme heat guidance
- British Racing undertakes Britain’s first-ever Thoroughbred Census establishing that 80% of former racehorses in 2023 are active and identifiable
- 2024 HPA publishes comprehensively updated Welfare Booklet in English & Spanish
- 2024 British Equestrian publishes its Charter for the Horse, in collaboration with its 19 member bodies
- 2024 The Pony Club passes rule restricting the use of spurs
- 2024 British Dressage launches Equine Welfare Action Plan
- 2024 British Equestrian establishes the Equine Welfare Steering Group, with a focus on improving regulation, education and communication around equine welfare and wellbeing
- 2024 British racing launches its HorsePWR communication campaign to enhance openness and transparency regarding welfare in the sport
- 2025 British Equestrian’s new federation-wide rulebook, which has been agreed by Council and formally approved and adopted by the British Equestrian Board, will include a whistleblowing policy for all disciplines. The document will be published shortly.
Jason Brautigam, Chief Executive of British Dressage said: “At British Dressage, the horse is at the heart of everything we do – and we are fully committed to driving positive change across the whole of equestrian sport. The Voconiq research provides us with vital insight that will support the delivery of our Equine Welfare Action Plan and inform how we can develop the sport in a way that builds greater public trust and acceptance. Our primary aim is to promote the tangible benefits that the horse / human relationship can bring to society, while actively demonstrating the highest standards of care and well-being that we provide for our equine partners. This report will help all of us in the equestrian community better understand what is required to ensure that there is a long term and sustainable future for horses in sport.”
Iain Graham, Chief Executive of British Showjumping, said: “At British Showjumping, we are proud to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to fostering positive change within equestrian sport. At the heart of everything we do is the welfare of the horse, which remains our guiding priority. Our collaboration with Voconiq represents a significant step forward in this endeavour, allowing us to leverage robust research to inform the development and delivery of a comprehensive Equine Welfare Action Plan. This initiative will not only enhance our understanding of equine welfare but also strengthen public trust and confidence in the sport as we move forward with transparency, integrity, and care.”
Rosie Williams, Chief Executive of British Eventing said: “British Eventing take the welfare of the horse very seriously and are committed to being involved with research that helps us to better understand how we can improve their lives and secure their future in sport. The results from the Voconiq research will help us to map out ways for us to build public trust while also share the stories that demonstrate how the welfare of the horse is at the heart of everything we do. The coming together of the equestrian industry in this way is a positive step forward and we look forward to driving forward the importance of social license for the benefit of the horse across our industry.”
James Hick, Chief Executive of The British Horse Society said: “We are always working on activities to promote and protect the future of horses in society, and it’s also important that we collaborate as an industry too. This research captures valuable insight that I hope will inspire meaningful change and help us all to build public trust. Sharing a positive narrative and ensuring that welfare is at the heart of all we do, is so important. Proactive steps are being taken to do this and it is encouraging to see how these findings will guide even greater actions to advance social importance across our sector.”
Marcus Capel, Chief Executive of The Pony Club said: “At The Pony Club, we welcome the findings of this important research. As a youth organisation dedicated to the education and welfare of horses and ponies, it is vital that we maintain public confidence in the care and respect we show these incredible animals. This insight reinforces the need for all of us in the equestrian community to work collaboratively to ensure that horses and ponies enjoy enriched, fulfilling, and dignified lives. By instilling these values in our Members, we can continue to inspire the next generation to build a sustainable and compassionate future for equestrianism.”
Anna Hall, Chief Executive of the Hurlingham Polo Association said: “The Hurlingham Polo Association is proud to have contributed to this research as part of our ongoing commitment to equine welfare. The findings highlight the positive progress made while underscoring the need for continued efforts to demonstrate the vital role of horses and equestrian sport in modern society. This research will guide our communications and shape our future strategies as we promote our sport to a wider audience. Another fantastic outcome of this project has been the opportunity for the HPA to collaborate with our fellow governing bodies, and we look forward to building on these partnerships in the years ahead.”
David Mountford, Chief Executive of the British Equine Veterinary Association said: “At the British Equine Veterinary Association, we welcome the findings of this important work. If the horse sector is to evolve and thrive, we need wider society to be confident that we “do the right thing” by these amazing animals that we are privileged to work alongside. The survey shows that, as vets, we are uniquely trusted by the public and we must ensure that we continue to both justify that faith and work with industry to ensure that horses’ lives are rich, engaging, and dignified from start to finish.”
Further developments for 2025 and beyond include updating terms for British racing’s new Horse Welfare Board to lead on development of the next phase of its horse welfare strategy, and British Equestrian implementing the FEI’s action plan for animal welfare.
