FEI’s Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission distributed two anonymous surveys in July 2022; one to collect the views of equestrian stakeholders regarding the involvement of horses in sport, and the other to collect opinions of the general public concerning the welfare of horses used in sports.
The stakeholder survey was distributed to National Federations and affiliates and shared among the wider equestrian community, attracting responses from 27,710 horse enthusiasts; the public survey polled a total of 14,273 adults aged 18-plus from 14 countries including Germany, France, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Spain, Brazil, United States of America, Switzerland, Australia, Sweden, South Africa, Poland, Chile and the United Arab Emirates.
Respondents in both surveys were asked about their relation to, or experience with, horses; their concerns about equine welfare and horse sport, the effect of media coverage and the future of horse sport. Among the key findings were:
- Clear evidence that both equestrians (75% of those surveyed) and the general public (65%) have concerns about the welfare of horses in sport.
- 67% of the general public, and 50% of surveyed equestrians, believe horses sometimes or never enjoy being used in sport.
- 78% within the equestrian community and 52% of the public believe welfare standards need to improve.
- The six priority areas amongst equestrians are: 1) training and riding/tack and equipment; 2) recognizing physical and emotional stress; 3) accountability/enforcement/knowledge; 4) the other 23 hours; 5) competitive drive/horses seen as a number 6) not fit to compete/masking health problems.
- There is general optimism (77% of equestrians) for horses’ future use in sport, but only with welfare improvements.
- Equestrian stakeholders consider that for horses’ welfare to be improved: current welfare rules must be better enforced; new welfare rules should be informed by science; and those involved with horses should have a required level of equine welfare knowledge.
Following are some of the highlights and comparisons between the two points of view.
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To read the complete survey reports, find the Stakeholder results here and the Public results here.
