Horse organizations endorse new equine welfare code

National Report

-- Six major equine organizations have endorsed a new welfare code that sprang from discussions at an equine welfare meeting at a Texas museum last month, according to the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA).

The new Welfare Code of Practice, drafted by the American Horse Council, focuses on 15 points that emphasize education, public transparency, and the guiding principle of the "welfare, safety and dignity of the horse" in all decisions.

Representatives from AQHA, as well as the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), the American Quarter Horse Association, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, the U.S. Equestrian Federation, and the U.S. Trotting Association endorsed the code, which will be the new standard for organizations in drafting their own policies, says Dr. Jerry Black, past president of the AAEP and chair of the American Horse Council's animal welfare committee.

"[The code] clearly states the principles necessary to achieve a level of stewardship for the horse that always puts the welfare of the horse first," Black says.

An AQHA spokesperson said video of forum discussions that led to the new code will be available at HorseTV in the near future.

Read the full welfare code here.