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Posted: 8th June 2026

Horse wellbeing a priority over performance, survey finds

Over 70 per cent of respondents said horse welfare should 'always' take priority.

Sixty-five per cent consider horses to be like pets.

World Horse Welfare has found that seven in ten UK adults prioritise horses’ welfare over their performance.

Their survey, which has taken place for its fifth year, found that over 70 per cent of respondents believed that welfare should ‘always take priority, regardless of the effect on performance’. Nearly 80 per cent said short-term pain or discomfort to improve performance was ‘not very’ or ‘not at all’ acceptable.

Most respondents said that they considered horses to be like pets (65 per cent) or leisure animals (64.9 per cent) rather than working animals, livestock or sport animals.

In the past two years, the percentage of adults that do not support horses in sport increased. While 19.5 per cent did not support horses in sports in any circumstance in 2024, this number has since increased to 24.4 per cent.

The percentage of those who do support horses in sport has similarly decreased to 20.9 per cent. Meanwhile 39.4 per cent would only be supportive if welfare was improved.

World Horse Welfare says, when combined, this means that 63.8 per cent of UK adults are ‘not content with the status quo’.

Roly Owers, chief executive at World Horse Welfare, said: “These results indicate that the majority of the public, including those who are closest to horses, believe a horse’s wellbeing should always take priority in training, regardless of the effect on performance.

“However, more than half of all respondents either expressed concerns or did not trust at all that most people in horse sport train in a way that they believe is acceptable.”

More statistics are available on the World Horse Welfare website.

Image © VorontsovaPro/Shutterstock.com

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