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Investing in Horses for the Love of Horses: A Paradigm Shift

Writer's picture: Susan McClaffertySusan McClafferty

Rethinking Equine Investment: A Matter of Well-Being, Not Performance


When we welcome a pet into our lives, we rarely expect them to "earn their keep”.  We don’t demand that our dogs, cats, or hamsters win agility competitions or be service animals to justify their place in our homes and hearts.


And yet, when it comes to horses, society applies a different standard that prioritizes performance, market value, and competition results over their well-being.


Why do we treat horses like commodities, replacing them when they no longer meet expectations, instead of valuing them as lifelong partners?


A Personal Perspective: Horses Are More Than Assets


Who doesn't want their horses in the house occasionally? *Generated with Midjourney AI
Who doesn't want their horses in the house occasionally? *Generated with Midjourney AI

I don’t think of my horses as "pets" in the traditional sense. Maybe it's their size or that they don’t come into the house (much). 😉 But I see them as sentient beings, deserving of respect, care, and emotional consideration. We have relationships with our horses.


Not everyone feels this way. Many view horses as vehicles, business investments, or athletic equipment—bought, sold, and replaced as needed.


But what if we redefined equine investment?


What if we prioritized a system where horses’ well-being, emotional fulfillment, and long-term care came first instead of focusing on financial return or performance success?


The Problem: Horses as Commodities


Horses are not machines. *Generated with Midjourney AI
Horses are not machines. *Generated with Midjourney AI

In the competitive equestrian world, a horse’s value is often tied to their performance—whether in dressage, jumping, racing, or another discipline.


This mindset has created an industry where:

  • Young horses are rushed through training to maximize resale value.

  • Trainers face pressure to push horses beyond their physical or emotional limits.

  • Owners invest in horses based on potential earnings or accolades rather than on the lifelong well-being of those animals.

  • Underperforming horses are cycled through sales barns rather than given time to develop or heal.


The result? It is a heartbreaking cycle of burnout and breakdown—for both horses and the people who truly care about them.


A Better Way: Investing in Well-Being


Instead of viewing horses as financial assets that must produce results, we must encourage investment models that support their well-being. Just as we invest in conservation efforts for wildlife or donate to shelters to protect animals, we can foster a model where investing in horses means ensuring their lives are stable, healthy, and fulfilling—whether they ever step into a competition ring or not.

Here’s how we can start:


1. Encourage Horse-Centric Investors


My last personal competition horse Zowie after we had both retired from showing.
My last personal competition horse Zowie after we had both retired from showing.

We need more people who love horses—whether they ride or not—to redefine what it means to "invest" in them. Those with financial means—philanthropists, patrons, and advocates—can support:

✅ Ethical training programs

✅ Lifelong care initiatives

✅ Alternative paths for horses who may not end up suited for our original goal


When investors put well-being ahead of profit, we create a future where horses are valued as lifelong partners, not disposable assets.


2. Support Trainers Who Prioritize Welfare Over Wins


The reality of competitive sports is that results drive sponsorships and financial backing. But some trainers refuse to sacrifice a horse’s well-being for a ribbon.

Sandra and our Friesian Cobus fan de Hill (Nico)
Sandra and our Friesian Cobus fan de Hill (Nico)

Supporting these trainers means:

✔ Funding those who prioritize ethics over quick success

✔ Sponsoring humane training methods instead of performance at all costs

✔ Normalizing the idea that a horse’s worth isn’t tied to a trophy


If we give these trainers financial stability, they’ll produce riders that respect horses more and horses that are happier.  


3. Create Alternative Paths for Horses


Me and my Lusitano Roucio playing at liberty. He was never my riding horse.
Me and my Lusitano Roucio playing at liberty. He was never my riding horse.

What if that horse you bought for XYZ discipline actually wasn't good at it or was burnt out from experiencing it in a negative way and now didn't enjoy it? The most common approach would be to sell the horse, often with a greater focus on maximizing funds for the next purchase rather than considering what’s best for the horse. Selling isn’t inherently wrong, but the first question should be: Do you truly need to sell?


Can you keep the horse and explore other disciplines like liberty work, working equitation, or trail riding—any of the countless fulfilling pursuits available with horses? Or maybe you can consider keeping them as a pasture companion? Let’s face it, the desire to compete in XYZ discipline is your goal, not theirs. Can you be the kind of owner who allows your horse to find a path that suits them? Can you commit to their well-being for life?


And if selling is the only option, can you at least prioritize the horse’s future over financial gain?


4. Change the Narrative in the Equestrian Industry


Right now, the media and sponsorships highlight the winners—the million-dollar sales, the championship titles, the elite competitors.


But the most meaningful horse stories aren’t always on a podium.

  • The horse who found a forever home with an amateur rider who simply loves them.

  • The trainer who transformed a "difficult" horse into a happy, willing partner.

  • The owner who just wants their horses to be healthy and happy and doesn't care about goals.


By celebrating these stories, we reinforce the idea that the best investment in a horse’s life isn’t money or medals—it’s happiness and well-being.


The Future: A World Where Horses Are Partners, Not Products


Horses deserve the same devotion and respect we give our dogs and cats.


I hope you wouldn’t sell a dog just because it wasn’t good at fetch—so why do we accept that practice with horses?


Katie and our stallion RM Colirio.
Katie and our stallion RM Colirio.

If we truly care about horses, we must build an industry where:

✔ Trainers who prioritize welfare are the most respected.

✔ Investors support horses for their intrinsic value, not their competition success.

✔ Alternative careers and lifelong care options are the standard, not an afterthought.


It’s time to shift the question from “What can this horse do for me?” to “What can I do for this horse?”


Only then will we build an equestrian world where every horse is valued—not for what they achieve, but for who they are.


Reality Check: Horses Are Expensive—But That’s No Excuse


This is a horse I purchased that was not what was represented and she had to immediately be retired.
This is a horse I purchased that was not what was represented and she had to immediately be retired.

I won’t pretend this shift is easy. Horses are expensive. Lifelong care, ethical training, and opening yourself to alternative paths require open-mindedness and flexibility as well as serious financial resources. I'll tell you that I struggle with this all the time.


But the equestrian world is filled with people of immense wealth. If even a fraction of them redirected their investment mindset from performance to well-being, the impact would be profound.


I’m doing my part with my horses. If you have the means, I urge you to be part of the change.


If we don’t put our money where our mouths are—for the love of the horse—then who are we, really?



💬 Join the conversation. Share this message. Support the trainers who do right by their horses.


Thanks for listening. Please share if this resonates with you.


Susan

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