Testing and Refining the Ethical Framework for the Use of Horses in Sport

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Equestrian sport incorporates a number of different disciplines. To optimize equine welfare, a consistent method of ethical decision making is needed. The research presented in this paper was undertaken to test the practical applicability of a previously published theoretical ethical framework for the use of horses in sport. Stakeholders from a range of equestrian disciplines were invited to test the framework through using it both as individuals and in small groups to consider various relevant ethical dilemmas. Stakeholders fed back to the researchers their experiences of using the framework and suggestions for improving it, and the feedback was used to refine the framework across three rounds of engagement. Stakeholders found that the useability of the framework increased with each round, so that the finalised refined framework is a practical decision-making tool which can be used to optimize equine welfare through facilitating consistent, transparent decision making by a wide variety of stakeholders in equestrian sport. ABSTRACT: In 2021, in response to an acknowledged need for universal, consistent ethics to guide decision making in the horse sport sector, Campbell published a theoretical ethical framework for the use of horses in competitive sport. The research reported here tested the applied usefulness of that theoretical ethical framework through stakeholder engagement in a three-round modified Delphi study and refined it to develop a practical decision-making tool which can be applied consistently across multiple equestrian disciplines. Stakeholders from a broad range of equestrian competitive disciplines participated in the research. Participants were required to apply the ethical framework to a pre-determined ethical dilemma, individually (Rounds 1 and 2) and within a group (Round 3), and at the end of each round to complete a questionnaire designed to gauge opinion and user experience. At the completion of each round of testing, the theoretical framework was refined based on stakeholder feedback. Results showed that participants perceived useability and application of the framework to generally increase with each round. Qualitative content analysis identified key concepts, including cognition (e.g., broadens/deepens thinking) and application (e.g., considers multiple angles from a variety of information sources, needs to be a short/simple process). Results suggested that the refined framework is beneficial for group decision making across a wide variety of ethical issues and equestrian competitive disciplines. The framework thus has the potential to improve equine welfare through facilitating consistent ethical decision making in which the interests of the horse are prioritized.