Challenging ourselves to be and do better for our horses

The 2024 FEI general assembly heard how we should all challenge ourselves to give horses the best lives possible

- LUCY ELDER

EMBRACING the concept of “progressive traditionalists” and challenging ourselves to “be better and do better” can help ensure horses have both good lives and good welfare.

World Horse Welfare CEO Roly Owers spoke about how equestrians must look at the full picture of horses’ lives and the science to enable equines’ lives, and the sport, to thrive.

“Our understanding of equine welfare over the past decade has been turbocharged by mounting scientific evidence,” said Mr Owers, at the FEI general assembly in Abu Dhabi this month, where he commended the federation on its equine welfare action plan.

WELFARE JOURNEY

“HISTORICALLY, our welfare journey has perhaps been too dominated through the health lens, concerned primarily with the horse’s physical welfare.