With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility: Equestrian Coaches, the Real 'Influencers' Within the Equestrian Community, Share Their Perspectives on a Sustainable Future
Authors: Lauren R. Tufton, Nichola Kentzer, Rosanna Walters-Symons
Journal: International Journal of Equine Science
Summary
# Editorial Summary Equestrian coaching sits at a critical juncture: as public concern about welfare and ethical conduct in performance sport intensifies, coaches occupy a uniquely influential position to either perpetuate or reverse problematic practices. Tufton and colleagues conducted a qualitative study with 16 elite British coaches (BHS Fellows and Level 4 UKCC-qualified) using facilitated roundtable discussions and thematic analysis to explore how the coaching profession can champion sustainable horsemanship. Three interconnected themes emerged: coaches must model personal responsibility and advocate for equine welfare; coaching education requires integration of mentorship, ongoing learning, and formal assessment of both technical competency and psychological safety skills; and the sector needs cohesive standards that align individual practices with collective welfare standards. The research underscores that coaches function as powerful culture-shapers within their communities—their decisions about training methods, welfare priorities, and behavioural standards cascade through their clients' practices—making them essential agents for systemic change. For practitioners across disciplines, this finding reinforces that coaching credentials should mandate explicit training in welfare advocacy, ethical decision-making, and the psychological competencies needed to influence human behaviour; isolated technical expertise is insufficient to address the sport's reputational and ethical challenges.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Coaches are positioned as instrumental change-makers in the equestrian industry—your influence extends far beyond technical instruction to shaping attitudes toward horse welfare and ethical practice.
- •Invest in your own continuous professional development through mentorship and formal education; staying current with best practices directly impacts the culture within your yard and student base.
- •Create a coaching environment that emphasizes psychological safety and clear horsemanship values; this foundation helps prevent poor human behavior and welfare compromises that undermine the sport's credibility.
Key Findings
- •Coaches are key influencers within the equestrian community and vital sources of counsel for promoting sustainable equestrian sport.
- •Three primary themes emerged: individual responsibilities (human behavior change and advocacy), comprehensive coach education (mentorship and continual learning), and collective responsibilities (cohesive welfare practices).
- •Coach education must integrate technical competencies with psychological safety skills and values alongside horsemanship instruction.
- •Mentorship, vicarious learning, and formal education are essential components for developing competent coaches who can advocate for horses.