WHW Conference 2024 Asks: ‘What is a Good Life for a Horse?

While many of us may think we know how to give horses a ‘good life’, now is the time to question our long-held beliefs and traditions.

Asking the question ‘What is a Good life for a horse?’ World Horse Welfare’s annual conference, taking place on November 7 in London and online, provides the perfect platform to explore answers through a morning of thought-provoking speakers and panellists. View the full program here.

Following the Paris Olympics this summer, equine welfare is increasingly in the consciousness of the general public making this topic particularly timely.

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World Horse Welfare CEO Roly Owers said: “We all aspire to give our horses a ‘good’ life – but what does this really mean? Our opinion of what we think of as a ‘good life’ may not be the same as someone else’s – while the horse’s experience could be something else entirely.

“Do we fully understand what horses need to have a good life? We would all agree that horses need to have adequate nutrition, a safe environment and live free of pain or illness.

“But does this alone provide them with a ‘good’ life? Do sport horses have different needs to companion ponies, or working horses? Or does what they really need change depending on the context? What does science say a ‘good’ life really is? And how can we tell if we are providing one?

“We look forward to exploring these questions with an outstanding line-up of speakers and panellists.”

Conference chair will be the Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP, former Chief Executive of the National Pony Society.
Professor Natalie Warren, FEI chair of the Equine Ethics and Well-Being Commission, among speakers.
Lucinda Russell OBE and racehorse trainer and major Dan McRink, regimental veterinary officer for the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, among discussion panel members.

Whether attending in person or virtually online, the event has been made as accessible as possible and includes live French and Spanish translation.