On June 16, 2025, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) adopted a formal stance on equine overuse in response to increasing criticism from social media and equine publications. The organization defined overuse through various timeframes and observable physical signs such as exhaustion, lameness, and changes in movement. USEF emphasized the importance of unbiased decisions regarding horse welfare and expanded its jurisdiction over abuse cases both on and off showgrounds as of December 2024. This move follows growing concerns about horses competing in excessive numbers of classes and shows, with some advocates calling for limits on jumping classes per day and week to prevent overshowing.

USEF also highlighted the need for proper rest and recovery, citing a veterinarian summit that stressed the risks of continuous competition, especially during extreme heat conditions. The organization released additional guidelines promoting safe training, injury prevention, and adequate rest to ensure horses remain healthy and respected. These measures aim to address the challenges posed by longer and more frequent competition circuits, with the hope that USEF’s new policies will lead to meaningful improvements in equine welfare and safety within the industry.