Codes of Practice for horse welfare in
Victoria
Hilary Pope, Andrew Cameron and Patricia Ellis, Attwood
January 2000
AG0880
ISSN 1329-8062
© State of Victoria, Department of Primary Industries
Page 1
What is a Code of Practice?
Do I have to follow a Code if I keep horses?
Where can I obtain information?
Horses have been domesticated and selectively bred by
man for about 5000 years. They are socially organised
and have been utilised by man for food, transport and
work, but are used more commonly now as a companion
animal for pleasure and competitive sports.
In the now largely urban and mechanised society of
Australia, few people possess the art of horsemanship or
the knowledge of husbandry necessary to properly select,
sustain and educate horses.
Horses are kept under a variety of conditions, from
extensive grazing in unfenced wilderness to intensive
housing in individual stalls.
It is recognised that there are certain basic needs of horses,
irrespective of the husbandry system, including:
•
readily accessible food and water to maintain health
and vigour
•
freedom of movement to stand, stretch and lie down
•
regular exercise
•
social contact with other horses or people
•
accommodation that neither harms nor causes undue
strain, and provides adequate protection
• protection from disease, and regular inspections to
assess the need for attention to feet, teeth and parasite
control
•
rapid identification and treatment of vice, injury and
disease
Any person responsible for the welfare of horses should
acquire maximum possible expertise, because the well-
being and usefulness of horses depend on the skill and
attitude of the individuals who manage them. Assistance
or advice on management of horses can be obtained from
veterinarians or other qualified advisers.
Codes of Practice
In addition to seeking advice from professional advisers, a
person in charge of horses should be aware of the various
Codes of Practice, which set out the minimum husbandry
standards for various animal species, or for animals
subje