Uppbindning av hästToward a Transparent, Horse Welfare Focus, in Equestrian Competition
Nov
Why This Matters
Basel 2025’s World Cup finals provided important reminders: modern equestrian sport sits at a crossroads. Horse welfare faces new public eyes and greater scrutiny, pressuring everyone from officials to riders and organizers to rethink what good horse management really means.
This review distills the most actionable lessons from the R Haltenswert (EQC) report – moving from constructive criticism to concrete steps forward.
“We see a great challenge in adapting a structure that has grown over such a long period of time to the needs of a modern, faster and digital society.”
“We continue to see the dangers of abuse in many ways and the need to increase the speed at which rules are questioned, reviewed and adapted.”
Why Equine Quality Control – And Why It Matters Now
Despite detailed FEI regulations and stewards’ codes of conduct, systemic horse welfare issues persist, at top international competitions.
The R-Haltenswert report reveals ongoing routine mistakes and risks that affect horses’ physical and mental wellbeing. These findings highlight the
urgent need for transparent, ethical, and science-informed horse care every day, at every interaction.
Horse welfare is everyone’s responsibility – real progress happens when we turn insight into action, every day, in every moment with the horse.
Constructive Steps: What Needs to Change
The EQC’s report doesn’t just spotlight issues; it proposes clear, practical changes that everyone involved in equestrian sport can act on.
- Open, Non-Personalized Communication
No one benefits from public shaming or unnecessary secrecy. Critical feedback should remain system-focused, with stewards and officials encouraged to explain – not just enforce – the rules and to welcome athlete cooperation. -
Measurable Horse Welfare Standards
The move toward objective tools, such as noseband measurement devices, is a positive step. But measurements should truly reflect how the horse experiences pressure – not just technical compliance with a new device. Any device must be used as intended to protect horses, not simply to check regulatory boxes. -
Veterinary and Ethical Perspective
In any horse welfare concern, not just physical but also behavioral (e.g., tongue behaviors, movement abnormalities, visible discomfort), the burden of proof should be on showing the horse isn’t suffering – never to assume all is well if proof is lacking. Both veterinary and ethical perspectives are needed in all final horse welfare assessments.
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Stewards Need Authority (and Support)
Stewards must be fully empowered not just to enforce, but to actively promote good horse welfare and report any concerns – even those not strictly outside existing FEI rules. Provide them with specialized backup staff to share responsibility, and improve training, especially on bits, curb chains, and noseband tightening. -
Clearer Rules – and Consistent Enforcement
Discrepancies (like differences between national and international rules, or between disciplines) confuse both riders and outsiders. Tack and rein restrictions should be clearly stated, standardized internationally, and enforced the same way in all disciplines. Draw reins, for instance, should be completely banned to prevent horse welfare issues and misunderstandings.
Reflection Panel
At the Stuttgart German Masters 2025, the initiative “R-haltenswert” launched its new “Reflection Panel” pilot, featuring an independent expert group observing disciplines to evaluate horse welfare and ethical riding.
The goal is to define and promote transparent, responsible and horse-friendly equestrian sport practices with expert assessments beyond traditional sport rules.
While the FEI rejected external involvement citing official control over competitions, the German Equestrian Federation agreed on shared horse welfare goals but favored binding regulations over subjective evaluations.
For the first time, official “Info-Stewards” are present at the event to engage the public on horse welfare questions, marking progress in transparency.
The initiative also considers public perception, recognizing that most spectators watch via broadcast, aiming to align horse welfare standards with public expectations and will publish a public report after the pilot.
Looking Forward: A Shared Responsibility
Modern competition brings horses into the media spotlight like never before. As pressure ramps up, so too must transparency, ethical rigor and a collective willingness to question – even cherished traditions – when horse welfare is at stake.
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Make the horse the starting point in all decisions, not personal, commercial or sporting ambitions.
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Officials must be independent and actively foster a visible “horse-first” culture, bridging the gap between rules and real-world horse welfare.
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Build structures that reward not just compliance, but proactive advocacy and a willingness to challenge habit and convenience.
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The “guardian” mentality promoted by marketing needs teeth: greater independence from sponsors, clear standards for integrity and collaborative rather than adversarial supervision.
Meeting the sophisticated André Hascher at the Equi Ethics International Symposium at Haras de La Ferme Rose in Chaumont-Gistoux, Belgium, offered valuable insight into our chared commitment to creating a more responsible and ethical equestrian environment which aim to improve welfare and ethical practices in horse sport.
Key Takeaways
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Review all equipment protocols: prioritize the horse, not just technical rule-compliance.
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Support education for all stewards, officials, and riders – ensure everyone knows why horse welfare rules exist.
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Build a feedback culture: gather input from riders, grooms, vets, scientists and the public; share learnings openly and regularly.
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Insist on uniform rules applied equally across disciplines and borders.
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Remember: believing current practice is “good enough” is the greatest risk to ongoing improvement.
Horse welfare is everyone’s business – and making real progress means turning analysis into action, every day, in every interaction with the horse.
Creating a More Horse Welfare-Focused Equestrian Venue
Designing and managing equestrian venues with a sharp focus on horse welfare is becoming an essential priority in the industry.
- A truly horse welfare-focused venue goes beyond compliance, embedding safety, comfort, and ethical care into every aspect of the environment and event operations.
Key features of such venues move the spotlight from just the arena to include:
- Spacious, well-designed stabling that offers adequate room, safe flooring, proper ventilation and natural light to mimic horses’ natural living conditions.
- Careful attention to materials used for walls, partitions, and equipment to minimize injury risks.
- Effective drainage and clear emergency escape routes to ensure hygiene and safety under any circumstance.
Beyond physical design, horse welfare-focused venues implement thorough safety and welfare inspection protocols throughout the event, often in private areas inaccessible to the public. These inspections should assess every detail, from box design to tie-up systems and ventilation, combining expert observation with staff training and horse welfare monitoring.
Common hazards at equestrian venues include:
- Loose dogs, scooters and bikes.
- Clutter, sharp objects and hidden corners.
- Slippery flooring and inadequate handling areas.
- Distracted people on phones.
People handling horses should stay attentive and avoid distractions to maintain safety and the right focus for the wellbeing of the horse.
Enforcing these basic rules and raising awareness significantly improve safety for horses and everyone on site.
Throughout our travels at Equimade, to some of the best facilities in the world, be it jumping, dressage or any other discipline, we have not yet seen what we consider to be a truly safe and horse welfare-friendly handling area, without any accident-prone features.
In addition, horse welfare-focused venues prioritize transparent communication with competitors, staff, and audiences about horse care standards, ethical riding practices and emergency readiness.
- This open dialogue fosters a culture of respect and responsibility for animal wellbeing.
By integrating thoughtful design, rigorous horse welfare oversight and proactive education, these venues not only protect and support equine athletes but could advance the reputation and future of the equestrian sports community. Leading the way to a more ethical and sustainable equestrian environment.