Horse sense report
Horses greatly enhance our lives, so it’s only right that we strive to give them a good life in return. We want to start a conversation about how we can all help make that happen.
Understanding and addressing the welfare crisis
For over a decade, welfare charities have been working hard to address an ongoing problem of poor horse welfare, marked by overbreeding, abandonment, and neglect. They often referred to this as the ‘equine crisis’.
To better understand and tackle the problem, we commissioned research from the University of Bristol, Human Behaviour Change for Life, and University College Dublin. The goal was to define the crisis, identify its causes, and assess how widespread it is.
Defining the path to better horse welfare
The research shows that while the original equine crisis has eased, most horses in England and Wales still don’t have their welfare needs fully met. Issues exist across different groups of equines across all sectors of society.
Solving this and ensuring all horses can enjoy a good quality of life will take bold, strategic action. That means changes to laws, policies, and public attitudes and behaviour, alongside strong commitment and collaboration from key partners and stakeholders.
Strengthening the horse-human relationship
Building on this research, our Horse Sense report calls for action in three key areas:
- 1 Stronger laws that support horse welfare and are properly enforced
- 2 Changes in attitudes and behaviours toward horses
- 3 Better understanding of horses' needs and better practical care skills
The report highlights the role of key groups:
- welfare charities
- equestrian and industry bodies
- businesses
- educators
- governments
It outlines the actions they can take to work together to help all horses live a good life.
Relevant documents
Below are the documents relevant to or referenced in our Horse Sense report.