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Welfare in action

Internationally the FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale) and EEF (European Equestrian Federation), and nationally BEF (British Equestrian) and our 19 member bodies work tirelessly to deliver the highest standards of welfare and eithical practice where the horses in our guardianship are concerned. Below highlights some of the key milestones made in recent years to ensure the use of our horses and equids reflects that laid out in The Charter for the Horse.

2022

  • BEF supports creation of FEI’s independent Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission (EEWC), which features two British representatives and establishes its own Equine Welfare and Ethics Advisory Group.

2023

2024

  • BEF publishes its Charter for the Horse, in collaboration with its 19 member bodies who all sign up to its delivery.
  • The Pony Club passes rule restricting the use of spurs.
  • British Dressage launches its Equine Welfare Action Plan and new Learning Hub for all members to further their equestrian knowledge
  • The FEI publishes their Equine Welfare Strategy Action Plan to address the six key focus areas with timelines.
  • BEF establishes the Equine Welfare Steering Group, with a focus on improving regulation, education and communication around equine welfare and wellbeing.
  • The FEI hosts stakeholder engagement meeting with key dressage parties to review all aspects of the sport and agree a way forward.

2025

  • BEF launches new five-year strategy with the horse as its guiding principle and an unquestionable commitment to upholding our guardianship of horses.
  • BEF pilot a new federation-wide rulebook, which has been agreed by Council and formally approved and adopted by the British Equestrian Board, will include a whistleblowing policy for all disciplines.
  • FEI announces new working group to develop a strategic action plan for dressage (with British rider Gareth Hughes a member) with a 2027 deadline for rule changes.
  • British Showjumping rulebook updated with a number of changes for improved welfare including use of the padded baton and tack.
  • BEF, in collaboration with World Horse Welfare, the Racing Foundation, The British Horseracing Authority and several other equine bodies, release the findings of the largest survey on UK public attitudes towards horse sport and equine welfare, conducted by Voconiq.
  • RSPCA publishes ‘Horse sense: A good life for horses through strengthening the horse human relationship’ in March which calls for legislation and policy change, attitude and behaviour change and bridging gaps in knowledge and practical skills among horse owners and keepers.
  • BEF and its member bodies launch an Equine Welfare Officers Network, in which, each organisation has a nominated person responsible for welfare co-ordination in the federation for the co-ordination of reports, governance oversight and harmonisation of policies.
  • RDA introduces a revised Equine Welfare Policy, built around the Charter for the Horse in May.
  • British Eventing forms a dedicated Equine Welfare Committee with veterinary, safety, science and education expertise.
  • In October, BEF launches a centralised, dedicated equine welfare case management system using Globocol, the same platform used in human safeguarding with all equine welfare officers having access. A Case Management Group with independent expertise oversees reports, supported by the welfare officers.
  • British Dressage publishes new online Welfare Report Form for ease of raising issues.

2026

Equine