In a groundbreaking virtual conference on February 13, nearly 200 equestrian sport leaders from around the world gathered to tackle a pressing issue: why good people sometimes adopt poor welfare practices in horse sport. Organized by a leading equine welfare charity and hosted by former BBC sports commentator David Eades, the event sought to uncover the systemic pressures that can lead individuals to compromise equine wellbeing and explore solutions for change.
Sponsored by Agria Pet Insurance and supported by LeMieux, the conference, titled ‘Accountability for Welfare in Equestrianism: Looking Beyond the Obvious’, aimed to move beyond blame and address the deeper cultural and structural influences within the industry.
Addressing Systemic Issues
World Horse Welfare Chief Executive Roly Owers set the stage with a thought-provoking opening address.
“It is easy to point the finger at one or two bad individuals – bad apples, we would like to think in a world where most people love their horses and want to do the right thing,” he said. “But it isn’t always as easy as deciding who are the bad people and who are the good people. These people have grown up in a system where certain traditions and attitudes have become the norm. So, when things go wrong for horses, is this simply the fault of individuals, or a symptom of a deeper issue?”
He emphasised the need for equestrian sport to identify and address these root causes, comparing it to a veterinarian’s approach: “If you are to be able to cure the symptoms, you must find the cause.”
Learning from Other Sports
Keynote speaker Sarah Powell, Chief Executive of British Gymnastics, shared insights from her experience reforming her sport to better safeguard athletes. She stressed the importance of a holistic, systemic approach:
“‘Reform’ is the key word because it’s not just about change it’s about shifting attitudes and beliefs. If equestrian sport is to evolve, it must embrace this concept, integrating education, performance, culture, and welfare into one interconnected framework.”
She underscored the necessity of accountability: “From the outset, there must be an absolute acceptance and ownership of the issues not just an apology.”
Expert Panel Discusses Change
The conference featured influential speakers from the equestrian and racing worlds, including Mette Uldahl, National Head Veterinarian for the FEI in Denmark; Tim Downes, Chairman of the BHS Fellows Association and co-owner of Ingestre Stables; and Meta Osborne, equine veterinarian, Thoroughbred breeder, and former Board Member of Horse Racing Ireland. Each expert provided unique perspectives on the internal dynamics of their respective sports and offered strategies for improving welfare standards.
A Call to Action
In closing, Roly Owers encouraged attendees to reflect on the discussions and take action within their own communities.
“There’s no magic bullet here,” he acknowledged, “but if we make incremental changes, they will begin to ripple through equestrianism and help others to start making a change too. Building trust with the public is essential to securing the future of our sport.”
He urged attendees to “find their tribe” and work together to drive progress. “Know that World Horse Welfare will help you in any way we can.”
Watch the Conference
The full conference is available to watch on the charity’s YouTube channel, and a summary can be found on its official website.
As equestrianism faces increasing scrutiny, this conference marks a pivotal moment in the industry’s efforts to prioritise horse welfare and foster lasting change.
