Welfare Horse Sports: A Blueprint for Positive Change (PDF)

by Lisa Ashton

What if horse sports didn’t just include welfare, but were built around it?
In this timely and transformative book, equine educator and welfare advocate Lisa Ashton offers an evidence-based approach to the use of horses in sport. She presents a compelling blueprint for integrating welfare within the very heart of equestrian practice.
Through a clear and actionable ‘welfare map,’ Ashton guides riders, coaches, and trainers who are ready to shift their mindsets and skill sets toward more ethical, sustainable approaches. Rather than treating welfare as an add-on, she introduces the concept of welfare horse sports: a model where equine well-being is foundational, not optional.
Drawing on an intersectional and empowering approach, Ashton emphasises that meaningful change doesn’t require a title or a platform. It starts with one equestrian―one coach, one rider, one trainer―bringing their unique voice, influence, and compassion to a shared mission: a better life for sport horses.
Welfare Horse Sports is not just a call to action. It’s a roadmap for a more ethical and informed equestrian future. For anyone ready to earn public trust, elevate standards, and future-proof horse sports, this book is your starting point.