New research has explored what equine welfare means to horse owners, identifying a strong commitment to improving horses’ lives but also a continuing gap between understanding welfare principles and consistently putting them into practice.
The study, “What Is Welfare? A Qualitative Study into Perceptions of Equine Welfare of Horse Owners”, is published in the International Journal of Equine Science, Volume 5, Issue 1 (2026). It involved researchers from Hartpury University, EQuerry Co, Karlstad University and the Swedish National Equestrian School of Excellence, and Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences.
The researchers analysed responses from 341 horse owners and equestrian participants, who answered eight open-ended questions about horse care, riding, training and welfare. Across the responses, almost 6,000 meaningful units of information were analysed, revealing four overarching themes: equine husbandry; human-horse interaction; equitation and training; and personal development and ethics.
Equine husbandry emerged as the most prominent aspect of welfare for participants.
Respondents highlighted the importance of:
· appropriate housing and management;
· access to forage, food and water;
· sufficient space and freedom of movement;
· year-round turnout;
· social contact with other horses;
· opportunities to express natural behaviours; and
· access to appropriate veterinary, farriery and other professional care.
Among respondents discussing year-round turnout, 98% highlighted access to appropriate turnout, while 69% specifically mentioned social contact with other horses.
The findings reinforce the importance owners place on management systems that allow horses to move, forage, interact socially and experience an environment suited to their behavioural needs.
The research also demonstrates that welfare is closely connected to what happens when horses are ridden and trained.
Ethical, consistent and welfare-based training was highlighted by every participant whose response was coded within this theme. Respondents also placed considerable emphasis on having access to knowledgeable, supportive and trustworthy coaches.
The research identified concerns around inconsistent training practices, the misuse of tack and equipment, and the inappropriate use of artificial aids such as whips and spurs.
The authors argue that evidence-based coaching can help riders understand equine learning, communicate more clearly with horses and recognise signs that a horse may be experiencing discomfort, stress or conflict.
Participants emphasised the importance of understanding horse behaviour and being able to recognise signs of stress, pain or other abnormalities. More than three-quarters of coded responses within the understanding horse behaviour theme referred to human–horse communication, while 66% referred specifically to knowledge of behaviour.
The findings also highlighted the importance of recognising horses as sentient beings and approaching them with patience, kindness, respect, empathy and compassion.
The researchers stress that good welfare requires people to interpret horses' behaviour accurately – avoiding both inappropriate anthropomorphism and assumptions that horses' emotional experiences can be ignored.
More than half of coded responses in this area referred to a commitment and responsibility to improve horse welfare, while 32% highlighted the importance of ongoing knowledge development, education, research and better decision-making.
The researchers suggest that coaching philosophies can have a lasting influence on owners' beliefs and practices. Providing accessible, evidence-based education could therefore help equestrians question established practices, reflect on previous experiences and make welfare-focused decisions throughout their lives with horses.
Lead author Dr Victoria Lewis, Senior Lecturer in Equestrian Performance at Hartpury University said: “This research shows that horse owners are thinking deeply about welfare. They recognise that welfare encompasses much more than physical health – it includes behaviour, emotional wellbeing, training, relationships and the horse’s ability to express natural behaviours.
“What is particularly important is the opportunity to translate that awareness into everyday practice. Education has a crucial role to play in helping horse owners access reliable information, develop their skills and make informed decisions that genuinely improve the lives of horses.”
The study concludes that there is widespread and genuine concern for equine welfare among the respondents, but that awareness does not always translate into consistent application.
The authors call for education and training initiatives that reflect the realities of everyday horse care across different disciplines, cultures and levels of experience.
They argue that equestrian education should combine practical skills with scientific understanding and ethical reflection, empowering owners, riders and coaches to make welfare-focused decisions.
Dr Lewis added: “The next step is not simply telling people that welfare matters. It is empowering them with the evidence, practical skills and confidence to make positive changes at the grassroots level. That is where education, research and collaboration across the equestrian sector can make a real difference.”
The research is open access and available in the International Journal of Equine Science.
