More than 50 equine organizations — including the American and Canadian Associations of Professional Farriers — have endorsed the American Horse Council’s National Welfare Code of Practice.
The American Horse Council drafted the Welfare Code of Practice in 2009 to establish equine welfare procedures for organizations to follow to “Put the Horse First.” It outlines in generic terms what it means for an organization to be committed to the responsible breeding, training, care, use, enjoyment, transport and retirement of horses.
The code is not intended to supersede an organization’s rules or regulations, the American Horse Council says.
“Any organization’s more specific rules still govern activities sanctioned and regulated by the organization,” according to the American Horse Council. “The code is intended to compliment any such rules and restates the principles to be followed by breed registries, trade associations, various disciplines and the horse community as a whole in pursuing their equine activities.”
