The UK Government has published its Animal Welfare Strategy for England, described by ministers as the most ambitious set of reforms for animal welfare in a generation. The strategy sets out a long‑term vision for improving welfare standards across all types of animals — from pets and farmed livestock to wildlife — with the goal of delivering lasting change by 2030.
While not horse‑specific, the strategy includes measures that could have important implications for equestrian organisations, businesses, and welfare practices.
Key Aims of the Strategy
The strategy takes a broad, science‑based approach to welfare, focusing on:
-
Ending cruel and outdated practices such as puppy farming and the use of snare traps
-
Banning trail hunting and tightening regulations on animal sports with welfare risks
-
Strengthening protections for pets, wildlife and farmed animals
-
Working with industry, charities and enforcement bodies to improve standards and compliance
-
Introducing better enforcement, guidance and support for animal keepers and owners
-
Promoting welfare‑friendly practices in transport and licensing regimes
-
Supporting research and evidence‑led policy to drive real change, rather than just legislative tweaks.
What This Could Mean for the Equestrian Sector
For equestrian businesses, organisations and welfare groups, several aspects of the strategy are especially relevant:
Horse Transport and Welfare
The strategy recognises ongoing concerns about welfare in animal transport, including horses. It commits to exploring further measures to ensure that horses are not exported for slaughter and that welfare‑friendly conditions are enforced throughout journeys. This aligns with long‑standing goals among equine charities to protect horses from stressful or dangerous travel conditions.
Trail Hunting and Rural Activities
The strategy includes a plan to ban trail hunting — a practice often involving horses and riders following hounds. While aimed at ending loopholes around illegal hunting with dogs, it has drawn criticism from rural organisations. For equestrian businesses engaged in rural sport and tourism, changes here could affect traditional activities and require adaptation.
Licensing and Welfare Standards
Improved enforcement and clearer welfare expectations, particularly for premises where animals are kept — including livery yards, riding schools and rescue/re‑homing centres — could lead to stronger licensing requirements and oversight. That may mean additional compliance measures for operators, but it also brings potential benefits by raising welfare standards across the sector.
Equestrian Charities Welcome the Strategy — With Caveats
Redwings Horse Sanctuary, the UK’s largest equine welfare charity, publicly welcomed the government’s long‑awaited Animal Welfare Strategy, emphasising that it represents an important step for animals of all kinds, including horses. Their support highlights the positive role these reforms could play in improving care standards and driving public awareness.
World Horse Welfare also responded positively, particularly to the government’s commitment to explore measures that would prevent horses being exported abroad for slaughter — a practise the charity has campaigned against for many years. They noted that while the strategy is a welcome framework, work remains to ensure effective enforcement of transport and licensing regulations that protect equines in all settings.
World Horse Welfare’s chief executive, Roly Owers,pointed out that improvements in enforcement for premises where horses are kept — including rescue centres and yards — could help ensure consistent welfare outcomes across the industry, and highlighted the importance of updating guidance such as the Code of Practice for horses to reflect current best practices.
Other animal welfare organisations have broadly welcomed the strategy as a positive step for animal protection, while urging the government to follow through with meaningful implementation, clearer timelines, and stronger enforcement. These voices reflect a shared hope that the strategy will go beyond high‑level goals to deliver real improvements on the ground.
What’s Next for Equestrian Stakeholders
For equestrian organisations, businesses and welfare advocates, the Animal Welfare Strategy presents both opportunities and challenges:
-
Opportunity to engage with consultations and shape how reforms are applied to equine‑related activities
-
Strengthening welfare standards across transport, licensing and premises management
-
Potential changes to rural sports and activities linked to horses and hounds
-
A renewed platform for charities and industry bodies to work with government on policy and practice
As the strategy moves from vision to implementation, equestrian stakeholders can play an active role in ensuring that welfare outcomes for horses and those who care for them are not only protected, but improved in practice.