Professional Conceptions of Equine Wellbeing: Continuous Adjustment Grounded in Observation, Expertise, and a Human–Horse Moral Contract

Debates surrounding equine wellbeing (EW) are increasingly frequent, fostering the development of a body of knowledge, of a growing market and questioning existing practices. Professionals are primarily responsible for finding an economic and ethical balance in their daily activities, which involve both caring for horses and making use of them. This research in management sciences aims to better understand how professionals conceive the wellbeing of the horses they live and work with and the debates on this topic. Twelve semi‑structured interviews were conducted with six riding instructors and six racehorse trainers in France, selected for their diversity. A the‑ matic analysis identified more than 380 meaningful semantic units, which were then hierarchized and reorganized to describe three main thematic axes related to EW. 1) The definition of EW according to professionals Profes‑ sionals define EW through a human‑centered approach closely linked to the notion of welfare. EW is associated with proper management of horses' living conditions, satisfaction of their fundamental needs, a respectful human– animal relationship, professional expertise, and the ability to interpret horses' subtle signals. They also point out a constant uncertainty, due to horses' silence and individual variability. Differences appear between instructors and trainers regarding housing systems, the relationship to work, and perceptions of horses' specific needs. Overall, professionals struggle to provide a unified definition of EW, which they perceive as complex and multifactorial. 2) EW as experienced by professionals in their daily work EW is experienced daily through an ethic of reciproc‑ ity, in which good treatment represents fair compensation for the work provided by horses, moreover because in some cases the pursuit of performance may threaten EW. Competence and expertise play a central role and rely on observation, interpretation, adaptability, and the ability to engage horses' cooperation. However, professionals emphasize the impact of economic, sporting, and institutional constraints, which require horses to work and be profitable, while limiting professionals' capacity to provide optimal living conditions. 3) EW consequences and challenges for the profession Professionals perceive EW as a recent and major social issue shaping the future of their professions, with trainers expressing greater pessimism. They view it as a cultural and societal dynamic and as a challenge to professional legitimacy. They agree that public debates are excessive, multifaceted, and overly polemical. They believe that public perceptions would improve if people observed everyday professional prac‑ tices. Both groups highlight the key role of institutions in regulating this phenomenon. To conclude, the absence of a formal definition of EW reflects not disinterest but a pragmatic, individualized approach centered on human action. EW refers not only to the horse's subjective state but also to professional skills and continuous trade‑offs between care, use, unpredictability, and economic constraints. While the scientific approach aims to abstract from diverse individual cases in order to establish general laws, professionals appear to favor a "science of the singu‑ lar," adaptable to each horse and situation. In doing so, they highlight their expertise and provide valuable insights for better adapting public policies and professional training to the realities of the field.