The Rise of Welfare Stewards in Equestrian Sports
In recent years, the equestrian community has witnessed a significant shift toward prioritizing equine welfare standards at shows across the UK. The emergence of welfare stewards, led by figures such as Amanda Stoddart-West, is changing the landscape of equestrian events.
What are Welfare Stewards?
Welfare stewards are professionals, including veterinarians and saddle-fitters, who volunteer to monitor and ensure the well-being of horses at various equine events. Their responsibilities range from overseeing rider-to-horse weight ratios to checking for signs of equine obesity and evaluating overall handling practices.
Key Responsibilities of Welfare Stewards
The primary goal of welfare stewards is to educate and encourage participants to adopt best practices. Essential responsibilities include:
- Monitoring rider-to-horse weight ratios
- Addressing equine obesity through fat-scoring
- Ensuring proper mounting techniques
- Overseeing overall equine handling practices
- Providing guidance and education to riders and handlers
Successful Implementations and Feedback
The introduction of welfare stewards has shown promising results. At the Royal Three Counties Show, the appointment of a welfare officer last year led to 12 participants being asked to dismount due to inappropriate mounting. Riders willingly submitted to weight checks to ensure they met the 20% rider weight rule, indicating the initiative’s success and growing acceptance.
The Role of the British Horse Society (BHS)
The British Horse Society (BHS) has been instrumental in training welfare stewards. Approximately 30 stewards have undergone specialized BHS training, which includes skills like fat-scoring to address significant welfare challenges such as equine obesity. This training equips stewards to handle the demands and responsibilities of their role effectively.
Broader Adoption Across Events
Welfare stewards have attended major events this year, including:
- Royal Cornwall
- Three Counties
- Great Yorkshire Show (GYS)
- Equifest
- Kent County
- Ashbourne
- Festival of Dressage
At these events, stewards vigilantly monitored equine welfare standards, offering advice and ensuring adherence to established guidelines. For example, at the Royal Three Counties Show, riders readily adhered to new regulations, submitting to weight checks and ensuring correct mounting practices.
The Vision for the Future
The ultimate vision of the welfare steward movement is to make the presence of these stewards a norm at equine events. In a few years, shows without welfare stewards will likely become an anomaly, underscoring the movement’s progressive approach and growing acceptance.
Addressing Public Scrutiny and Social License
Increased public scrutiny of equestrian sports necessitates a proactive approach to animal welfare. The emphasis on welfare stewards not only aims at improving equine welfare but also reinforces the sport's social license to operate. This comprehensive approach to welfare—from riding to feeding—ensures the long-term sustainability of equestrian sports.
Why This Matters
This movement emphasizes comprehensive welfare practices, ensuring that both human and animal participants can thrive, even attracting more event participants and public support. Ultimately, it paves the way for a sustainable future for equestrian sports by prioritizing welfare and education.
Conclusion
The rise of welfare stewards in equestrian sports signifies a substantial development towards enhancing equine welfare standards. As this movement continues to grow, it will foster a more welfare-focused approach in equestrian sports, with welfare stewards playing an indispensable role in driving this positive change. The success of welfare stewards at various events underscores the importance and efficacy of this initiative, promising a brighter and more sustainable future for equestrian sports.
For more information, visit the original articles at Horse & Hound.
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