Our Research
The care we provide and the research we support work hand in hand.
Research helps us improve the lives of horses when we turn evidence into practical guidance, informed decisions and lasting change. Our work supports horse owners and carers, regulators and everyone with a responsibility for horse welfare — across every kind of horse, from leisure and sport horses to working horses, donkeys and mules.
We build this evidence base through our own experience, investigations and pilot projects, as well as through collaboration with research institutions, academics and organisations around the world.
By listening, learning and sharing knowledge across the equine sector, we gain a deeper understanding of real welfare challenges and develop practical solutions that can be turned into accessible advice and support for those who care for horses.
Working Equids: Socioeconomic value and welfare education
Find out how our scoping review of the socioeconomic value of work equids and the impact of education is supporting communities globally.
Our research projects
We strive to ensure we undertake research to help tackle the most important welfare issues.
Successful bursary projects
Some examples of successful bursary research projects funded by World Horse Welfare.
Tracing horse movements across the European Union
Find out how our research is driving positive action for horses by looking at cross border European movements.
Welfare Assessment for Horses in Yards (WAHY)
A Five Domains–based, participatory horse welfare assessment process.
Assessing welfare globally
Validation of welfare assessment tool for evaluating the health and welfare of working equids project.
Equine Grass Sickness
We have long been committed to supporting equine grass sickness research.
Horses in our hands
Horses in our hands: the welfare challenges facing the UK's equine population.
Welfare at slaughter
Improving the welfare of horses and donkeys at slaughter.
What is Social Licence to Operate?
World Horse Welfare and University of Nottingham researchers have recently published a scientific review of the threats to equestrian sport’s social licence to operate (SLO).
Our investigations
We believe the best way to influence change is to have a strong and credible evidence base.
Advancing Equine Scientific Excellence
A collaborative approach between industry, research institutes, colleges and universities aiming to advance scientific excellence.
