Equestrian sports are becoming subject to increasing public scrutiny, with non-equine stakeholders questioning if traditional training and management practices are ethical and necessary. This has led broader animal welfare advocates to introduce the debate that equestrianism requires a social license to operate (SLO) in the modern era.

SLO showcases legitimacy to users and consumers to counteract practices perceived to be detrimental to wellbeing and unethical. Ubiquitous to this debate, is the premise that all stakeholders, regardless of their level in the industry, have a duty of care to engage in practices which optimise equine health and welfare, and that promote ethical practices. The WBFSH aims to proactively support their members by providing evidence-informed guidance on key welfare considerations to ensure ethical breeding practices that enhance the health and welfare of sport horses.

The WBFSH has partnered with a research team at Hartpury University (GBR) to undertake a systematic review of existing research and relevant grey literature (non-scientific industry sources), to inform an evidence-based approach to outlining key areas that will underpin sport horse breeding practices aligned to the five domains outlined in Mellor’s 2020 model. Results are expected at the end of 2024.