The aim of this thesis was to examine ethical treatment of horses in general. Second objective was to how it is actualized in Equine College Ypäjä, who is the commissioner of this thesis. Also part of it was to decipher what is ethical treatment of horses in practice, things that make it how it is at the moment and what important remarks can be found during the research.

The basics of ethics and philosophy are addressed in this thesis as they are the foundation for this subject. As proceeding from the basics there are also some ethics regarding animals in general and especially horses covered in this thesis. History and culture concerning horses in the society have both influenced strongly the development to what the ethical treatment of horses is today. One of the basic segments of this subject is the communication and understanding between horses and humans. Also part of the big picture are general welfare of horses, the laws that people have to abide by and the organizations that supervise the horse industry.

The research was based on inquiry for the students and personnel of Equine College and also on number of interviews of the selected personnel. Main results were that the people thought the general situation as well as the situation at Equine College is fairly good. One of the top priorities was equine welfare and people wanted to further the development of that. The status of the horse in society was perceived as divided between a friend and means to an end. At Equine College the fact that it is a school produces its own challenges concerning the treatment of horses in an ethically sustainable way.

As a conclusion we should discuss and ponder the ethical questions that arise from this subject. From these discussions ideas for the development should be found and then as further action apply them in the practice. The effects of these ideas that make it to the actual everyday practice should be monitored with new research and inquiry to see how it has affected and has any development happened at all.