Horse owners and keepers, the equine sector and governments have been urged to work together to ensure all horses have a good future, further strengthening the need for livery yard licensing and regulations, in a major new report from the RSPCA.
The report ‘Horse sense: A good life for horses through strengthening the horse–human relationship’ launched at the 2025 National Equine Forum (6 March).
Commissioned by the RSPCA to identify the nature and causes of the current equine welfare situation, the report delves into the driving factors behind the well-documented ‘horse crisis’ of overbreeding, abandonment and neglect which began in 2012, but also reveals a wider issue of owned leisure and competition horses not having all their welfare needs met today.
The research, conducted by Human Behaviour Change for Life and their research partners from the University of Bristol and University College Dublin, offers a number of solutions and suggestions for improvements, including:
- Legislation and policy change
- Attitude and behaviour change
- Bridging gaps in knowledge and practical skills among horse owners and keepers
Key issues identified in the report include inadequate equine-keeping facilities which fail to provide enough opportunities for turnout, grazing, and socialization, leading to unfulfilled welfare needs – known as the Three Fs- Forage, Friends and Freedom – leading to fewer opportunities for positive welfare and the ability to experience a good quality of life.
It identifies several key areas for action to address the issues identified, including calling on national governments to strengthen legislation where required and support local government and other agencies in their enforcement role and introduce new legislation as is necessary, such as the regulation of livery yards and licensing of rescues and sanctuaries. It also emphasizes the role of colleges and equestrian organisations in addressing knowledge and practical skills gaps among horse keepers, and urges governments to include animal welfare in the national curriculum.
For yard owners seeking to demonstrate high standards of equine welfare, obtaining accreditation from reputable organizations such as the The British Horse Society (BHS) or the Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS+) can be beneficial. This accreditation not only showcases a commitment to quality care but also aligns with broader efforts to improve welfare standards within the equestrian community.
Read the 2025 Equine Welfare Crisis Report here