The Equestrian Industry at a Crossroads: Why Social Licence Matters
Why this conversation matters.
The horse world has always been full of strong opinions - about training methods, welfare, and what’s “right.” But in recent years, the stakes have changed.
Equestrianism isn’t just being debated within the industry. It’s being watched (and judged) by the wider public. That’s where social licence comes in.
Put simply: if society at large loses trust that horses are being treated fairly, equestrianism risks losing its place altogether.
What social licence means for horse owners.
It’s not just about elite sport. Social licence applies to all of us, from the rider at grassroots level to the top competition arenas.
How we ride, train, and compete is increasingly scrutinised.
How we care for our horses day-to-day sets the standard outsiders will judge us by.
How open we are to evolving practices shows whether we’re serious about welfare.
Every horse owner is part of the industry’s image.
Lessons from the past.
I started out like many others - helping at my local riding school, learning by doing, knowledge handed down from those around me.
Some of that learning still stands. But some of it doesn’t. Practices evolve as science, welfare understanding, and coaching standards move forward. The challenge is recognising that evolution without losing the good foundations.
Qualified professionals (coaches, vets, farriers) have accountability built in through CPD (continuing professional development). The horse world as a whole needs that same willingness to grow, adapt, and improve.
Where we see change happening.
Competition rules are shifting 👉 dressage judges, for example, are directed to reward correct foundations over flashy, exaggerated movement.
Training approaches are evolving 👉 balance, biomechanics, and nervous system awareness are gaining recognition over force or shortcuts.
Welfare standards are rising 👉 and that’s a good thing. Horses deserve more than “that’s how we’ve always done it.”
Why this matters.
Because without change, we risk losing more than tradition. We risk losing society’s trust and with it, our freedom to ride, compete, and share horses with future generations.
Social licence isn’t about pleasing critics. It’s about showing that we take welfare, learning, and accountability seriously enough to keep earning our place.
Horses don’t need us to cling to the past. They need us to carry the best of it forward - and leave behind what no longer serves them.
This is exactly the kind of conversation we have inside the Equestrian Knowledge Hub - practical, straight-talking, and rooted in putting horses first.
👉 Join the free Hub Facebook community and be part of a space where we talk honestly about welfare, progress, and what the future of equestrianism should look like.
