Involvement of horses in sport is ethically justifiable

A study finds horse sport can be justified, as long as certain conditions are met

- ELEANOR JONES

THE involvement of horses in sport is ethically justifiable, research has found – as long as conditions are met to ensure they have good lives.

Madeleine Campbell, an owner, rider and breeder as well as a specialist in equine reproduction, and European diplomate in animal welfare science, ethics and law, carried out the study, published in Sport, Ethics and Philosophy.

She told H&H it is something she has been working on for years, and that given increased discussion and awareness of the importance of public acceptance of horse sport, “we need to be able to articulate why we think it’s ethically justifiable”.

“The equestrian sector needs to be able to explain why we can make a sound ethical argument that justifies involvement of animals in sport; a lot of people argue that it isn’t ethical,” she said.

Professor Campbell referred to World Horse Welfare studies that found 20% of respondents do not support horse sport and 40% would only support it if horse welfare were improved. She also cited work by the ethics and wellbeing commission for the FEI, which found nearly three-quarters of equestrians felt sport horses’ welfare should be improved, and added she wanted to know if horses’ involvement is “right”.

Her research involved three common ethical theories: deontology, utilitarianism and virtue ethics. The first is rules-based ethics; once a rule is established, the ethical thing to do is to follow it regardless. Utilitarianism says the most ethical choice will produce the greatest good for the greatest number, and virtue ethics hold virtues central.

POSITIVE WELFARE