Welfare protocols are being tested during Sport-SM
During Sport-SM, the Swedish Icelandic Horse Association continues its long-term work to strengthen horse welfare within competition activities. As part of this work, SIF’s welfare protocols will be further tested during the championship’s various competition classes, together with a checklist for warm-up areas.
The welfare protocols for competition environments are based on the Five Domains Model and are used to gather knowledge about the competition environment, the stable environment and the horses’ behaviour at the competition venue.
The warm-up checklist has been developed as a tool for organisers, officials and riders in their work to create a safe warm-up environment with a strong focus on horse welfare.
Observations and pilot group
Ronja Berg, MSc, will be present during Sport-SM together with Jenny Yngvesson and representatives from SIF. The project builds on collaboration with researchers and experts in horse welfare – Jenny Yngvesson and Anna Lundberg at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU.
This year, the welfare protocols will also be tested anonymously by a small pilot group consisting of professional riding instructors, judges, officials and Sport-SM riders. This will provide valuable experience from different perspectives within the sport and is an important step in adapting the protocols for future use within SIF.
The experiences gained will also form the basis for the observer training that the association plans to carry out later this autumn.
Development – not assessment of individual horse-and-rider combinations
The observations will be carried out without disturbing competing horse-and-rider combinations. The focus is not on assessing individual riders or horses, but on gathering experience for the continued development of working methods, support material and education.
During data collection from ongoing rides, no photos or videos will be collected as documentation. Photography may only take place to a limited extent for educational purposes and with the consent of the people concerned, with respect for riders, officials and horses.
Continued work with support from the Swedish Animal Welfare Association
The work on the welfare protocols was initiated in 2025 with support from Agria. In 2026, the observer project continues with funding from the Swedish Animal Welfare Association.
Questions about the project
If you have any questions about the project, you are welcome to visit the SIF tent, where project participants will be present.
The project is run by SIF Tävling and SIF Utbildning. The project leader is Sabina Anderberg.