Pony Club Australia Inc. is a signatory to the Australian Horse Welfare Protocol

The Australian Horse Welfare protocol delivers a broad horse welfare position for Australia, providing clarity and direction through committing signatories to a set of principles and reviews.

Background

The Australian Horse Industry Council (AHIC) is a participant organisation in the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS) along with other national horse organisations, including the Australian Racing Board, Harness Racing Australia and Equestrian Australia.

Horse industry stakeholders are working with Animal Health Australia (AHA)towards development of Horse Welfare Standards and Guidelines, which is a strategic goal in the AAWS.

Early in 2011, Dr Mike Bond CEO Animal Health Australia, briefed the AHIC Industry Advisory Committee. The key message related to the lack of progress on the development of Horse Welfare Standards & Guidelines, a goal of the AAWS.

A collaborative decision of the group decided to progress horse welfare through development of an Australian Horse Welfare Protocol (AHWP), based on a similar model achieved in the UK. Following a process of adaptation, review by expert opinion and a consultation process the AHWP was finalised in August 2011.

About the Protocol

It is acknowledged that horse organisations have different skill bases amongst their members, a varied range of resources, will each have a differing financial status and core business focus. The Australian Horse Welfare Protocol provides an opportunity to sign up to eight foundation principles which primarily seek from organisations a commitment to the continuous improvement model. The AHW Protocol will also support a pathway to achieving the AAWS Horse Welfare Standards & Guidelines.

Annexure A contains minimum horse care and welfare standards and guidelines, with each further annexure providing useful contacts and links to assist organisations to share information related to horse welfare with members. It is proposed that each annexure will be reviewed annually.

The AHW Protocol signatories will be invited to renew periodically, after each annual review process.

The Protocol is “owned” by the signatories and as such signatories have opportunity to provide comment, review and input into what may be accepted each year through the annual review process.

Please click on the button on the left hand side of the home page of Pony Club Australia for more information and a copy of the Protocol.