With growing pressure on the entire equine industry to maintain its social license and to continue to increase horse welfare standards, several topics in Dresden were dedicated to welfare-related issues.

Dr Henrike Lagershausen (GER) presented the latest German guidelines on the handling and use of horses from an animal welfare perspective and effects on the start of training for young horses. This due to growing pressure of how young horses are started, and in particular how stallions are prepared for the stallion selections. Her presentation focused on starting of training and housing of young horses, what the current discussions in Germany are, as well as the impact on equestrian sport and breeding sector (especially selection-system of stallions, licensing and preparation).

Bérengère Lacroix (FRA) presented the preliminary results of a study carried out in France under Anne Ricard (“Survival study”), on the projected sports longevity of horses of a particular population, by analysing the selection methods of 2- and 3-year old SF horses. 3.541 horses born between 2006 and 2018 were taken into account in the analysis, the horses having only achieved CSO, and excluding horses having done both show jumping and eventing.

A workshop was held about animal welfare and megatrends, asking delegates to consider the following four questions:

• 1. What are the main welfare issues in starting to work young horses, and where do you see the greatest potential for abuse
• 2. How would an ideal young stallions selection process look like in the context of welfare?
• 3. What regulations are already in place in your countries to protect the welfare of foals and young horses?
• 4. What other animal welfare issues will affect horse breeding in the near future, and what should be regulated or forbidden