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An interesting review for veterinarians on weighing up interests and decision-making in equine medicine.

Abstract: 

The role of equine veterinarians, particularly those working with sport horses, is influenced by a multitude of societal, ethical and scientific factors. This requires a nuanced approach, based on careful consideration of all interests. This weighing of interests provides an essential framework for decision-making that considers the biological and behavioural needs of horses, evolving social expectations, and the demands of modern veterinary medicine practices. Socio-cultural changes observed in recent decades have directly influenced the way in which horses are perceived and treated. While they were historically considered primarily as tools or instruments of performance, they are now recognised as sentient beings with specific natural needs that must be respected for moral and scientific reasons. This evolution is part of a society that has become more sensitive to animal welfare, requiring the role of equine veterinarians to be redefined. They are now expected to integrate strict ethical criteria into their practices alongside medical considerations. This social acceptance promotes the well-being of horses by taking into account their fundamental needs, such as social behaviour, freedom of movement, grazing, and expressing their natural behaviours. Meeting these needs is essential for preventing pathologies related to stress, restricted movement, or unsuitable living conditions, which can affect sport horses subjected to intense training or artificial environments. Prolonged confinement in stalls without sufficient access to the outdoors, for example, can lead to stereotypical behavioural disorders such as self-mutilation and rocking, which are signs of profound discomfort and a lack of well-being. The concept of animal dignity plays a central role in considering interests in veterinary practice. This involves preserving the physical and psychological integrity of the horse by avoiding not only pain or suffering, but also any form of undue coercion, humiliation or excessive exploitation. Coercion can manifest in training or competition practices that prioritise performance over respect for animal health and welfare. Humiliation manifests itself in invasive protocols or treatments of questionable therapeutic efficacy and calls into question the very notion of the horse's dignity as an individual. Excessive exploitation reduces the horse to a mere performance machine and raises major ethical questions about its place in a society that recognises its status as a sentient being. Therefore, decision-making by equine veterinarians must be based on a rigorous analysis of interests, taking into account immediate medical benefits, long-term welfare implications and societal expectations. This is a complex process as it requires avoiding the trap of anthropomorphism — i.e. not attributing human emotions or motivations to horses unduly, which could bias the objective assessment of their real needs. Certain practices that were once accepted are now considered unacceptable in the context of equine welfare. These include unnecessary suffering, training methods based on physical or psychological coercion, and living conditions that do not allow for the expression of natural behaviours. 

Equine veterinarians face multiple and often conflicting challenges. They must balance the performance demands of sport horse owners and trainers, the medical imperatives of care and prevention, and heightened social expectations regarding animal welfare and ethics. These professionals are under considerable pressure, torn between the need to provide specialised care and the need to comply with shifting ethical standards that are often the subject of debate. They must always base their medical and ethical decisions on a careful and balanced analysis of the interests at stake, without ever succumbing to the temptation to oversimplify or mechanically apply standardised protocols. They must also undergo continuous training in behavioural and ethical matters to adapt their practices to scientific advances and societal expectations. The evolving role of equine veterinarians in the management of sports horses reflects a significant shift in the relationship between humans and animals. Weighing up interests is an essential methodological and ethical tool for ensuring appropriate decision-making that respects the biological and behavioural complexity of horses, while also meeting the demands of a changing society. Any form of excessive anthropomorphism, undue coercion, humiliation or exploitation that undermines the dignity of horses must be rejected. Equine veterinarians are at a crossroads, and must meet these challenges with discernment, courage, and professionalism without being stigmatised for the tensions inherent in their role.

 

Montavon et al. - Compendium Pferdeheilkunde 2026 Montavon et al. - Compendium Pferdeheilkunde 2026

Download the article in Compendium Pferdeheilkunde 1 - 2026