Report on Horse Welfare in Ireland

fits

Taken from the UCD website

Exploring horse welfare in Ireland

Conditions for horses at unregulated gatherings, including fairs and races, and the treatment of horses towards the end of their productive life, may pose the highest risks to horse welfare in Ireland, according to a new study.

The findings are part of the mid-term results from a review of horse welfare in Ireland from 2007-2009 that were presented at a seminar in University College Dublin last week. The review by researchers at University College Dublin explores horse welfare in Ireland in light of recent and proposed legislative changes.

“The imposition of regulations was considered by respondents as the most likely effective method of improving horse welfare, followed by information and education campaigns and fiscal measures,” says Joe Collins, from the UCD School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, who is conducting the report.

“Over the past 12 months, we have seen the publication of several statutory instruments which strengthen the requirement for owners and keepers of horses to acquire and carry documentation for them, and bring horses within the scope of legislation designed to protect ‘farmed animals’,” he says.

“In 2009, an EU Regulation will be introduced which will make it a requirement for all horses to be identified in a permanent fashion - probably by microchip. And a current Animal health and Welfare Bill is being drafted to replace legislation which dates back as far as 1911.”

According to Collins, the Irish people have an unsurpassed tradition of horsemanship, with many people owning, breeding or keeping horses out of a genuine pleasure for their company.

“Many people ride, lead or drive. And many others take great pleasure at one step removed by attending, or by simply watching equestrian events on the television. But do we always pay due heed to the care of the animals which are integral to this sport and industry of ours?” he asks.

This study addresses this question and investigates what we mean by animal welfare: what is considered to be ‘good’ rather than ‘poor’ equine welfare. It also examines the appropriate standards that should apply to horse husbandry and the duty of care owed to horses.

“The opinions of forty-four informed experts from equestrian associations, government, equine industries and welfare charities were canvassed for the report,” says Collins. “And they highlighted what they considered to be the most significant horse welfare issues in Ireland today.”

“They also expressed their opinions on what motivates people to compromise horse welfare, and how solutions could be developed to improve current standards.”

Collins hopes that the final report, once complete, will lead to a consideration of policy and practical remedies for selected horse welfare issues in Ireland.


This report is set against a background of increasing production of horses, high profile sales and athletic performances within some sectors of the equine industries but a growing unease amongst organisations active in animal welfare, rescue and re-homing. The question to be addressed is whether the health and welfare of the horses which comprise the raw material for the industry are being adequately safeguarded.

The first objective of this project is to profile the equine industries, where the horses are, and what roles they fulfil. The second objective is to assess the common perceptions of equine welfare across these equine industry sectors and heighten awareness of the importance of this topic. The third objective is to conduct a review of the actual welfare issues that exist currently in the Irish horse population.

The report is sponsored by the International League for the Protection of Horses.

togster

I have never seen any major cruelty to horses in Ireland. I guess i am lucky.
In Sweden you must have an inspector visit your residence in order to keep horses. They deem whrther or not the facilities provided are sufficient. You must also have insurance for your horse.

Balance that agianst some crazy things they do here and it's hypocricy at its finest. But i so think people should be required to have a lisence (sp?) to keep horses.

convert

togster wrote: »

But i so think people should be required to have a lisence (sp?) to keep horses.

I don't think adding layers of bureaucracy for horse owners would be either enforceable or welcome. While the idea may be well-intentioned, it could potentially become over-regulated and the more rules that would be implemented, the less enforceable it would become.

Then there'd be the decision as to who would have to be licensed? Would it extend to all owners, even those whose horses are kept in livery, or would it just apply to horse owners who keep their horses at home or on rented land? And would it extend to riding schools, livery yards and racehorse trainers?

New trainers who receive thier trainers' licences now have to take a course before they can receive their licence; their yard is also inspected and they have to supply evidence that they either own the land on which their yard is situated, or that they have a lease which is legally recognised. They also have to furnish evidence that they have public liability insurance. If a state licence was required for all horse owners, would people, such as trainers or riding school owners have to receive another licence, given that they're already regulated?

Would people, such as trainers and equestrian establishment owners, who may not actually own the horses, have to be licenced under the owners' licence, or would a separate licence have to be drawn up this situation?

Finally, would those who required a licence need to pay a fee for it? And how much would it be; would it be low enough that most people who owned a horse be able to afford it? Or would it be too high that owning a horse would become exclusive?

Sorry, togster, if this seems like a rant and that I'm pulling apart your suggestion. That isn't my intention, and your suggestion has merit, but I would be afraid that, as with a significant amount of licencing regulations in this country, it would become far too bureaucratic, and would actually create problems for those who are genuine horse owners who take good care of their horses, rather than just excluding those who really need help and education regarding horse welfare.

I think projects like the Cherry Orchard establishment which educates children regarding the proper care that their horses needs. It takes the horses off the common areas in estates, etc and provides the children with the tools and knowledge they need to learn how to ride and to care for their horses properly. Perhaps if more facilities like this were established throughout the country to educate people regarding the welfare of their horses, then licensing mightn't be as necessary?

Cash

Some of the government schemes for financial grants for keeping horses should be brought under scrutiny, as it seems in certain areas, people are rewarded financially for placing a horse on their land and then in many cases forgetting all about its needs.

sheepstown

togster wrote: »

I have never seen any major cruelty to horses in Ireland. I guess i am lucky.
In Sweden you must have an inspector visit your residence in order to keep horses. They deem whrther or not the facilities provided are sufficient. You must also have insurance for your horse.

Balance that agianst some crazy things they do here and it's hypocricy at its finest. But i so think people should be required to have a lisence (sp?) to keep horses.

Dublin youths from the poorer parts of the city are torturing poor terrified horses as we speak, why is this allowed to happen.(is is because it is though of as part of the culture remember that film 'into the west where they glammerised it) why are young , immature children from rough backgrounds allowed to keep these animals when they dont know the first thing about horses and don't have adequate facacilities (they live in cramped inner city estates.Did you read the herald/metro today where there was an article about how youths lead horses into icy ponds and left one there to die with a broken leg. where were the adults?, why didnt anyone stop them (these children can be intimidating). I've seen them trying to force freezing cold horses into dollymount strand. They put ropes in their mouths and beat them incessently, these horses are scared and neglected. i've had enough.Is anyone going to do anything about this?. Is there a specialised horse charity in dublin? if not there should be.

convert

Any particular reason you've dragged this thread up after more than 18 months?

convert

Please do not drag up old threads. If you want to make a post, please start a new thread. This is a warning to all. Next time the poster will be banned.

Thread locked.