British Equestrian sets out 2026–2028 equine welfare action plan

British Equestrian has published an equine welfare action plan covering 2026 to 2028, described by the federation as a roadmap with a timeline attached to each action point. Among the measures set out are a fresh look at "return to play" protocols for riders who have been given welfare-related sanctions, and making a clear disciplinary process — including provision for reciprocal sanctions between member bodies — a condition of BEF membership. Several member bodies already operate this way: British Eventing upholds suspensions issued in other disciplines.

The plan also formalises an equine welfare officer network, in which member bodies nominate named points of contact for reported concerns and work alongside organisations including the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare. A dedicated reporting and case management system is now in place, all equine fatalities at member bodies' events are reported and reviewed, and a set of principles on the ethical use of medication has been produced with input from the British Equine Veterinary Association. Work is under way on improving traceability of individual horses through federation activities via a registration process.

BEF chair Fields Wicker-Miurin framed the work as a response to growing public scrutiny rather than a defence against it, saying scrutiny "offers an opportunity to demonstrate what good welfare looks like". For anyone breeding, selling or keeping competition horses, the traceability and reporting strands are the ones most likely to be felt in practice — better records of where a horse has been and what has happened to it make it easier to pass on an honest history at the point of sale. The plan is a statement of intent with dates against it, so the test will be delivery over the next two years.