Current Welfare Problems Facing Horses in Great Britain as Identified by Equine Stakeholders.
Authors: Horseman Susan V, Buller Henry, Mullan Siobhan, Whay Helen R
Journal: PloS one
Summary
# Editorial Summary Perceptions of equine welfare problems in Great Britain remain largely anecdotal; this qualitative study sought to systematically document the range of welfare concerns identified by 31 equine professionals, industry stakeholders and horse owners through in-depth interviews. Beyond specific health and management issues—underweight and overweight horses, continuous stabling, inappropriate training aids—respondents highlighted systemic contexts driving poor welfare, particularly unsuitable environments with inadequate grazing and financial constraints limiting owners' capacity to meet horses' needs. The racing industry and traveller horses emerged as particularly vulnerable populations, with lack of knowledge and economic pressures identified as root causes rather than deliberate neglect. Several welfare problems raised by interviewees lack robust scientific evidence, creating a clear research agenda for practitioners seeking evidence-based interventions; the breadth of issues identified suggests that targeted, prioritised research investment will be more effective than diffuse efforts in driving meaningful welfare improvements across the GB horse population.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Multiple welfare issues exist across GB horse populations—prioritize assessment of your own facility for weight management, stabling duration, and environmental suitability as starting points
- •Financial and knowledge barriers are significant obstacles; seek low-cost training resources and peer support networks to improve practices
- •Racing and traveller horse sectors require targeted attention; if involved in these areas, be proactive about welfare standards as they face greater scrutiny
Key Findings
- •31 equine stakeholder interviews identified health, management, and riding/training as primary welfare concern categories
- •Unsuitable environments with poor grazing was the most frequently discussed welfare context across stakeholders
- •Racing industry and traveller horses identified as sectors with particularly vulnerable welfare standards
- •Lack of knowledge and financial constraints were perceived as root causes of poor welfare by majority of interviewees