Introducing the Horse Welfare Score: A New Way to Learn About Equine Welfare
Understanding your horse’s needs is the foundation of good horsemanship. That’s why, at Ridely, we have been pouring our hearts and souls into creating the Horse Welfare Score (HWS) – an innovative, interactive challenge designed to deepen your knowledge of horse welfare in an engaging and rewarding way… Whether you’re a beginner rider, a seasoned competitor, a dedicated owner, or simply passionate about horses, the HWS is your gateway to deepen your understanding of your horse and show your commitment to equine well-being.
What is the Horse Welfare Score?
The Horse Welfare Score is more than just a score; it’s a gamified learning experience embedded directly within the Ridely app… As you successfully complete carefully selected, expert-led training programs and pass their accompanying quizzes, you’ll accumulate points towards your personal welfare score.
Each science-backed, evidence-based program is specifically designed to help you better understand key aspects of your horse’s care and behaviour. From accurately recognising signs of pain to mastering principles of hoof balance, effective training techniques, nutrition, tack fit, understanding how horses actually learn, and cutting-edge equitation science, the HWS covers it all. The more you learn and apply, the higher your score will climb (and the better your horse will be for it!)
Learn from world-leading experts
At the heart of the HWS challenge lies our premium, scientifically-backed training programs, all created in close collaboration with internationally respected professionals and pioneers in horse training, behaviour and equine welfare. Some of our expert lineup include:
- Dr. Sue Dyson – Trained equine vet and lameness specialist
- Dr. Andrew McLean – Pioneer in Equitation Science, FEI Welfare Advisor, and Director of the Equitation Science International (ESI) and the International Society for Equitation Science.
- Jody Hartstone – Accomplished Grand Prix dressage rider and science-based trainer
- Yogi Sharp – The Equine Documentalist, working farrier, PhD candidate in Farriery Science, dedicated to bridging research with real-world practice
- Jochen Schleese – Certified master saddler and founder of Saddlefit 4 Life, specializing in horse- and rider-centered saddle fitting
- Kim Gentry – Certified bit and bridle fitter and international dressage rider, focused on improving comfort and communication through correct fit
Every training program is meticulously structured to provide practical guidance, integrate the latest scientific insights, and includes a short, reinforcing quiz to solidify your learning.
Track your score and see how you rank
As you successfully complete programs and quizzes, your Horse Welfare Score will steadily increase. You’ll witness your progress in real-time on our live leaderboard, which you can filter by country to see how your commitment to welfare compares with riders and owners in your local community. It’s an excellent way to stay motivated, foster healthy competition with friends, and proudly showcase your dedication to providing the best for your horse.
How does the scoring work?
Earning points towards your Horse Welfare Score is straightforward and rewarding. Every time you complete a full training program and pass its corresponding quiz, you’ll earn points! All participants receive a base score of 10 points for passing, with bonus points awarded based on your quiz performance:
- Pass the quiz: 10 points
- Score 80–89% correct: 11 points
- Score 90–99% correct: 12 points
- Score 100% correct: 13 points
The better your score, the more points you earn – helping you climb the leaderboard faster and showing your growing knowledge of horse welfare.
Join the dedicated welfare-focused community in Ridely
To support your learning journey, we’ve launched a dedicated Welfare Community Group in Ridely. This is your go-to hub to get the latest HWS updates, connect with a vibrant network of like-minded riders and owners, openly discuss your learnings, and stay continually inspired. We’ll also be sharing exciting leaderboard highlights and running exclusive giveaways from our partners and sponsors.
A big thank you to our founding partners and brilliant experts!
Keep an eye out for more exciting partner announcements and additional benefits coming soon!
Start your welfare journey today
Join us in a shared mission to deepen your understanding, elevate your horse care practices, and clearly show the world that our horses truly come first.
Ready to make a tangible difference in your horse’s life and your own knowledge? Start learning, scoring, and leading – right now in Ridely!
Are you a brand or organisation? Join us in making a difference
Are you a brand or organisation passionate about equine welfare and looking to amplify your impact? Join our Horse Welfare Alliance to improve horse well-being worldwide and give access to welfare content to your customers and members! Get in touch with Ingrid and Bee – we can’t wait to chat!
