Uldahl Mette, Mellor David J
Vejle Equine Practice, Fasanvej 12, 7120 Vejle Oest, Denmark.
Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre, School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
Animals (Basel). 2025 Jun 30;15(13):1934. doi: 10.3390/ani15131934.
This commentary evaluates contemporary equestrian sport governance through the lens of equine welfare science. Drawing on evidence from the FEI Sport Forum 2025 debates, the IFHA Racing Integrity Handbook, media coverage of horse sport, recent scientific presentations, regulatory texts, and published research, we identify systemic shortcomings in how horse welfare is assessed, prioritised, and protected. Key issues include reliance on performance as a proxy for welfare, inadequate "fit-to-compete" protocols, neglect of horses' mental states, coercive tack and equipment practices (e.g., double bridles, tight nosebands, ear hoods), pharmacological and surgical interventions that mask pain, euphemistic regulatory language (e.g., whip "encouragement"), and inconsistent implementation of welfare rules. Through a series of case studies, from dressage and show jumping forums to racing integrity handbooks, we illustrate euphemistic language, defensive group dynamics, dismissive rhetoric towards evidence-based criticism, and a troubling "stable blindness" that sidelines the horse's perspective. We conclude that meaningful reform requires (1) embedding validated behavioural and physical welfare indicators into all competition and pre-competition protocols, (2) transparent, evidence-inclusive rule-making under a precautionary principle, (3) genuine engagement with independent equine welfare experts, and (4) establishment of empowered, impartial oversight bodies to ensure that stated codes of conduct translate into consistent, enforceable practice. Only by catering to the horse's subjective experiences and applying modern ethological and bioethical standards can equestrian sport retain its social licence and ensure integrity in all areas of competition management.
本评论通过马福利科学的视角评估当代马术运动治理。借鉴国际马联2025年体育论坛辩论、国际赛马诚信组织《赛马诚信手册》、马术运动媒体报道、近期科学演讲、监管文本及已发表研究的证据，我们找出了在马福利评估、优先级确定及保护方面的系统性缺陷。关键问题包括依赖成绩作为福利的替代指标、“适合参赛”规程不充分、忽视马的精神状态、强制性马具和装备做法（如双缰、紧鼻带、耳罩）、掩盖疼痛的药物和手术干预、委婉的监管措辞（如鞭子“鼓励”）以及福利规则执行不一致。通过一系列案例研究，从盛装舞步和场地障碍赛论坛到赛马诚信手册，我们展示了委婉语言、防御性群体动态、对基于证据的批评的不屑言辞以及令人不安的“马厩盲区”，即忽视马的视角。我们得出结论，有意义的改革需要：（1）将经过验证的行为和身体福利指标纳入所有比赛和赛前规程；（2）在预防原则下进行透明、包含证据的规则制定；（3）与独立的马福利专家进行真正的合作；（4）设立有权力、公正的监督机构，以确保既定的行为准则转化为一致、可执行的实践。只有迎合马的主观体验并应用现代动物行为学和生物伦理学标准，马术运动才能保持其社会许可，并确保在比赛管理的所有领域保持诚信。
