Horse & Pony Welfare Scotland

The Animal Health and Welfare Act (Scotland) Act 2006 provides owners and keepers with information on how to meet the welfare needs of their animals.

The code of practice for the Welfare of Equidae was approved by the resolution of the Scottish Parliament and came into effect on the 29 April 2009.

The animal's needs include:

• its need for a suitable environment,
• its need for a suitable diet,
• its need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns,
• any need it has to be housed with, or apart from, other animals,
• its need to be protected from suffering, injury and disease.

A person commits an offence if the person does not take such steps as are reasonable in the circumstances to ensure that the needs of an animal for which the person is responsible are met to the extent required by good practice.

To view the code click on the icon below

Code of Practice for the Welfare of Equidae
Estimated Size: 560KB

Report a Welfare Concern

BHS Scotland on 01764 654364

SPCA on 03000 999 999

World Horse Welfare Hotline on 08000 480 180

Last Updated: November 2012