Riding With Care: A review of factors that influence the welfare of the ridden horse and a case for the application of the precautionary principle in equestrian pursuits.
Authors: Caleigh Copelin, K. Merkies
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary The growing public scrutiny of equestrian sport centres on whether current practices genuinely prioritise horse welfare, prompting Copelin and Merkies to comprehensively examine the multifactorial influences on ridden horse well-being. Their review identifies several key areas of concern: inappropriate headgear (including harsh bits, excessively tight nosebands, and hyperflexion-inducing equipment) creates inescapable pressure on sensitive cranial structures whilst suppressing natural behaviours; poorly fitted saddles fail to distribute kinematic forces adequately across the back; and rider-related factors—including balance, body control, cuing precision and behavioural understanding—directly shape the horse's experience. Compounding these concerns, underlying pathologies such as gastric ulceration or undiagnosed lameness generate cumulative pain and mechanical damage when riding continues unchecked. Rather than waiting for definitive scientific evidence on contested practices, the authors advocate applying the precautionary principle: practices should be considered potentially harmful until rigorously proven otherwise. For farriers, veterinarians, physiotherapists and coaches, this framework demands a shift in approach—moving from justifying current methods to critically examining whether each intervention (from equipment selection through to training intensity) demonstrably benefits equine comfort and movement quality, thereby protecting both horse welfare and the sport's long-term credibility.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Equipment choices must prioritize comfort and natural head/neck position—harsh bits, tight nosebands, and hyperflexion should be avoided; if uncertain about a practice's safety, assume it may be harmful until proven otherwise
- •Saddle fit is non-negotiable; invest in proper fitting to both horse and rider to prevent back pain and force distribution problems that compound over time
- •Develop your riding skills in balance, body control, and understanding equine behavior; poor horsemanship creates stress and discomfort that equipment alone cannot fix, and always screen for lameness and gastric ulcers before or concurrent with ridden work
Key Findings
- •Inappropriate equipment (harsh bits, overtight nosebands, hyperflexion devices) causes inescapable pressure and pain on the horse's head while restricting natural behaviors
- •Improper saddle fit fails to distribute kinematic forces appropriately across the horse's back, compromising comfort
- •Rider competency factors including balance, body control, cueing ability, and behavioral understanding significantly influence the ridden horse's welfare
- •Unidentified or untreated physical conditions (ulcers, lameness) are exacerbated by riding and cause cumulative pain and mechanical damage