Jennifer McAleece BHS APC

This is a great question to ask ourselves. Is a welfare change actually improving the horse’s lives or is it just improving how things look?

🐴 Is a welfare change actually improving horses’ lives, or just improving how equestrianism looks?

At the ISES 2026 Conference, Jo Hockenhull presented “Welfare washing: The (unexpected) turn of the social license debate?”

As public concern around equine welfare grows, equestrian organisations are increasingly making changes in response. But not all changes necessarily translate into meaningful improvements for horses.

The presentation explored the concept of “welfare washing”, where changes may create the appearance of improved welfare while doing little to address the underlying issue.

Examples discussed ranged from meaningful changes, such as management systems providing racehorses with greater enrichment and socialisation, to more superficial responses, including changing terminology such as “whip” to “baton” without necessarily changing the horse’s experience.

A new framework was proposed to help evaluate changes by considering their impact on the horse, the equestrians around the horse and the public.

The key question is not simply whether an organisation can demonstrate that something has changed, but whether that change genuinely makes a meaningful difference to the horse.

Authentic welfare improvements matter not only for horses, but for maintaining the credibility and long term social license of equestrianism.

To everyone enjoying the outdoors—slow down, communicate, be considerate and respect one another 😀

A Shared Forest An educational video on how mountain bikers and horse riders should...

This is great news, and makes doing freestyle to music with BD even more straightforward.

https://www.britishdressage.co.uk/news/member-update-music-licence-and-kbis-insurance/?fbclid=IwdGRleASwjOVwZG9mA2ZkaWQWUJqGQcNH4xOaqOS3sE9NMLJBxZJ1RWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzE3Mzg0NzY0MjY3MDM3MAABHu3tX0e3yME91uansjxYyREKpLDmvOwHMHEQooiVW41bUbozdOJ4zYT3mzYP_aem_6Gv4wAp-RXJ3JXtszYg3qw

Member update: music licence and KBIS insurance British Dressage are sharing important updates for members using music in their tests and updated insurance policy information.

A fantastic afternoon delivering a BHS Road Safety Taster Session at Higher Farm Livery Centre.

A wonderful yard, a fantastic group of riders, and a real pleasure to meet everyone. Thank you to Angela and all the riders for such a warm welcome. 😊🐴

What devastatingly sad news, thought are with his family.

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Stephen Clarke FBHS.

Stephen was one of the most highly respected dressage judges in the world, with an extraordinary career spanning national and international competition, judging and education.

A Fellow of the British Horse Society, Stephen was awarded the Queen’s Award for Equestrianism in 2010 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the equestrian world.

His knowledge, generosity and kindness inspired so many across the sport, and his influence will continue to be felt through the judges, riders and officials he supported and mentored.

Our thoughts are with Stephen’s family, friends and all who knew him. His contribution to dressage and the wider equestrian community will never be forgotten.

I think the BHS have got this football team spot on. What do you think?

Don’t let your vaccination lapse. Latest horse in Cheshire that has got the flu, was due to a lapsed vaccination. It’s very easy for that to happen. So make sure you check your records to insure it doesn’t happen to you.

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