Considering the fate of equestrian sport after the Olympic Games in Paris 2024

Abstract

The status of animals in the modern world has significantly changed over the last decades and the ethics of using horses in sport are now being questioned. This article aims to show the reality of animal welfare standards in modern equestrian sport, its pros and cons, and the possible fate of these Olympic disciplines in the near future, presenting various aspects of animal law and ethics, as well as combining the social and psychological aspects of sporting rivalry and the impact that human emotions – inevitable in any sporting rivalry – have on the ethics of using horses. The simple fact is that no matter what rules are put in place by any governing body, it is impossible to eliminate all cases of animal abuse in the training of horses. Therefore, what leads to such behaviour towards horses are the psychological underpinnings of sporting rivalries. Therefore, changing the rules of equestrian sport by making it significantly less competitive and lowering the expectations towards horses – which is inevitably connected to removing equestrian sport from the Olympic Games – will result in a massive change in the quality of life and welfare of horses.