At Equestrian Sports New Zealand, horse welfare is our highest priority. While cases of horse abuse are rare in our sport, we believe that every horse deserves protection—whether at home, in training, or at competition. So, we’ve introduced an online form to make it easier for anyone to report concerns about horse abuse. All details remain confidential to the equine welfare group, before being referred to the most applicable equine welfare review panel.
- There is no fee to submit a report
- Reports can be made at events (without the form) or outside of competition (using the online form)
- Abuse can take many forms—from withholding water to neglecting basic care
This form is part of our commitment to transparency, and to ethical horsemanship. It’s not a response to widespread issues—rather, it’s a proactive step to ensure that horses always come first. If you witness horse abuse at an ESNZ-sanctioned event, please speak directly to the Stewards or Ground Jury on site. They are trained to respond appropriately and ensure immediate action is taken when required.
Together, we can uphold the values of compassion, fairness, and respect that define equestrian sport in New Zealand.
ESNZ Equine Welfare Concern Reporting Form: Online form
For more on horse welfare see https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/safety/irt-horse-welfare/