The theme of this year's conference is 'Horses in the Next Generation'. Watch the World Horse Welfare speakers and panellists debate via the live stream below from 9.30am on Thursday 14 November
This year’s World Horse Welfare conference in London will focus on the opportunities and challenges that horses are likely to face in the future.
The role of the horse in societies around the world continues to change, with increasing constraints on energy and food supplies, climatic changes, the balance of global power and advancements in technology all playing a part.
This year’s conference speakers include:
Lord Howard of Lympne QC, former leader of the Conservative party, will speak about the future of the racing industry and the global opportunities for the sport at a time of mounting pressure for a standardised approach.
Alex Hua Tian, China’s first Olympic eventer will share his perspective on integrating horse welfare into the rise of equestrianism.
Investigative journalist for The Guardian and author of the bestselling exposes of the food business (Not on the Label and Eat Your Heart Out), Felicity Lawrence will speak about horses as commodities in the tangled and often sticky web of the international horse meat trade.
And internationally-renowned veterinary surgeon, Professor Derek Knottenbelt, will offer his view on the future of the working horse in the developing world and how veterinary science can best support these animals.
There will also be a panel discussion covering key horse welfare issues. This will be chaired by TV commentator Philip Ghazala with panellists including Defra Minister, Lord de Mauley; the celebrated 3-day eventer and cross-country course designer Ian Stark; television presenter Suzanne Dando and international endurance rider Anna Williams.
