May 26, 2025 3 min read Menopause

Missing in Action: Why Racing Home, Steph Bradley, and a Rising Tide of Research Are Forcing the Equine Industry to Face Menopause

Despite the thousands of women working across racing and breeding, the equine industry has yet to give due attention to a topic affecting a massive portion of its workforce: menopause.

Hot flashes, anxiety, sleeplessness, and joint pain don’t clock out when a jockey enters the parade ring or a coach steps into the arena. Yet the sector has done little to research or respond to how midlife hormonal changes are impacting its riders, grooms, breeders, and trainers.

That lack of visibility is no longer sustainable. Women in the industry are taking matters into their own hands—notably, as far as we can see, through the work of Racing Home and BHS Coach Steph Bradley. Their efforts signal a turning point in equestrian sport, advocacy, and research.

Funded by The Racing Foundation and Gaming Solutions - FDJ UNITED, Racing Home has launched a pivotal series of webinars led by Dr Kate Clayton-Hathway. The initiative seeks to shine a light on midlife and menopausal challenges in horseracing and breeding—areas with almost no formal research.

Unlike some awareness campaigns, these webinars aim to establish a foundation for future policy change, sector-wide support structures, and cultural shifts within the equine industry. They are open to all, from grooms and breeders to industry leaders and yard owners.

While institutional research is lacking, individual professionals are leading the charge. Steph Bradley, a SMS Master Saddle Fitter, British Equestrian Level 4 Coach, and CIMSPA Chartered Coach Developer, recently completed a pivotal MSc study on the impact of perimenopause and menopause on female equestrians.

Her research, conducted through the University of Gloucestershire, surveyed 1,629 female riders aged 21–73. Key findings include:

74% reported joint pain, 71% decreased physical strength, 66% weight gain
78% suffered from anxiety, 76% from reduced confidence, 74% sleeplessness
33% had stopped riding temporarily or permanently
50% of riders in jumping disciplines reduced participation due to perceived risk
Only 50% felt comfortable discussing symptoms with female coaches; 10% with male coaches

These aren’t abstract statistics—they represent real barriers that push women out of the sport.

Steph’s work is gaining amazing traction. She won top honours at the 2024 Alltech-Hartpury Equine Student Conference, and her findings have been featured in Horse & Hound and presented at a British Horse Society event titled "Keeping Women in the Saddle."

So far, there is little to no institutional research in Ireland or the UK that specifically addresses menopause in the equestrian workforce. But what about globally?

At the time of writing, no major equine federations in Europe, the U.S., Australia, or New Zealand have released comprehensive studies on menopause and equestrian sport. While general workplace data exists (e.g., from CIPD or BUPA), the equine sector—with its physical demands and often self-employed female workforce—faces unique, under-researched challenges.

This absence of data raises critical questions:

Who is responsible for ensuring women in our sport are supported through midlife?
What mechanisms exist to track participation drop-off linked to hormonal health?
Why has the burden of research fallen to individuals like Steph Bradley?

The combined work of Racing Home and Steph Bradley is more than just informative. It challenges the industry to reflect, respond, and restructure.

These webinars are not a finish line. They are a starting line.

What the industry does next—from federations to funders, media to medical boards—will determine whether equestrian sport becomes a place that retains its women through midlife, or risks losing them through lack of support and recognition.

For now, Racing Home is hosting the conversation. Steph Bradley has laid down the data. The question is: will the industry finally listen?