National Welfare Code of Practice
In the summer of 2009, the AHC hosted the “The Welfare of the Horse” forum in Washington, DC. as part of the AHC’s National Issues Forum. The Forum featured speakers from segments of the horse community as varied as competition, sport, work and entertainment. Speakers and panelists discussed the many welfare and safety initiatives that various segments of the horse industry have in place or are instituting.
Many associations have undertaken studies, reviews, and initiatives that indicate their commitment to the welfare of their horses. The Welfare Code of Practice is simply a continuation of that effort and is not intended to replace or pre-empt those activities or any rules and regulations specific to a particular segment of the industry.
Background
The AHC drafted the Welfare Code of Practice in fall of 2009. The Code 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.
Organizations supporting the Code address equine welfare and responsible care: (1) by supporting a uniform Code of Practice regarding the responsible breeding, training, competing, care, use, enjoyment, health, transportation, and retirement of horses; and (2) by initiating communication with the public, the media, federal and state officials and within the horse community regarding these issues.
National Endorsements of the Welfare Code of Practice
Currently, the AHC’s Welfare Code of Practice has been adopted by fifty four (54) different national groups. They include:
- American Association of Equine Practitioners
- American Association of Professional Farriers
- American Competitive Trail Horse Association
- American Endurance Ride Conference
- American Farriers Association
- American Paint Horse Association
- American Quarter Horse Association
- American Riding Instructors Association
- American Saddlebred Horse Association
- American Warmblood Registry
- Appaloosa Horse Club
- Arabian Horse Association
- California Professional Horsemen’s Association
- Canandian Association of Professional Farriers
- Certified Horsemanship Association
- Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA)
- EQUUS Foundation, Inc.
- Florida Thoroughbred Breeder’s and Owner’s Association
- Friends of Sound Horses (FOSH)
- Harness Horsemen International
- HorseSafetyUSA.com
- International Walking Horse Association
- Kansas Horse Council
- Kentucky Horse Council
- Kentucky Thoroughbred Association
- League of Agricultural and Equine Centers
- Maryland Horse Council
- Masters of Foxhounds Association
- Michigan Horse Council
- Minnesota Horse Council
- Missouri Quarter Horse Association
- National Cutting Horse Association
- National HBPA, Inc.
- National Reined Cow Horse Association
- National Thoroughbred Racing Association
- National Walking Horse Association
- New York State Horse Council
- North American Short Pony Registry
- North American Trail Ride Conference
- Pal-O-Mine Equestrian Center
- Pennsylvania Equine Council
- Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International
- Pinto Horse Association of America
- The Pyramid Society
- Texas Quarter Horse Association
- Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association
- U.S. Dressage Federation
- U.S. Eventing Association
- U.S. Equestrian Drill Team
- U.S. Equestrian Federation
- U.S. Polo Association
- U.S. Trotting Association
- Virginia Horse Center Foundation
- Walking Horse Owners’ Association of America
AHC Position
The AHC encourages all members of the equine industry to support and endorse the Welfare Code of Practice as yet another indication to the public, the media, federal and state officials and the horse community that the industry “Puts the Horse First.”
American Horse Council Statement on “Kill-Pen Bail/Ransom”
Numerous American Horse Council members have expressed concern regarding the practice of “Ransom” or “Bail-Out” sales marketed online. These complaints echo concerning media reports on fraudulent practices that take advantage of the empathetic nature of the equine enthusiast community. In an attempt to alert uninformed, yet sympathetic, individuals to the risks involved in sourcing animals from these operations, the American Horse Council is releasing the following statement. Instead of contributing to a problematic practice, we strongly encourage interested parties who are willing and able to re-home a horse to utilize the numerous programs listed through the United Horse Coalition’s Equine Resource Database at https://unitedhorsecoalition.org/
Buyer Beware – A Cautionary Tale
The American Horse Council and its members are encouraging horse owners, horse rescues, and equine enthusiasts to be extremely cautious before engaging with organizations and individuals promoting time-sensitive rescue offers (often referred to as “bail” or “ransom”). Some horse traders contracted to fill orders for Mexican and Canadian horse processing have developed a scam targeting equine rescue operations and the uninformed general public. These “Bail-out” or “ransom” operations are run in conjunction with feedlot operators who buy animals at low market prices. These order brokers then post the animals on social media platforms with exaggerated price tags and an arbitrary deadline implying a day of shipment across an international border where the horses will be processed for human consumption.
Due to the time-sensitivity of the offer, people feel compelled to “save” the horse advertised on social media and purchase it sight unseen and are encouraged to utilize the seller’s contacts to inspect the horse, attend to the horse, and transport the horse. All of which is done at additional cost and without traditional proof. As reported on and published in industry media and numerous social media platforms, incidents have been shared regarding sellers fabricating how much money has or hasn’t been raised for a bailed horse; the horse delivered was not the one presented in photos or videos; the horse was not in the same physical condition as when payment was made; and in some cases, the animals themselves were never at risk of being exported and processed for human consumption, instead they were marketed as such to increase the sense of urgency.
Legal action has been taken against several individuals at the forefront of these practices. Law enforcement and regulatory officials at both the state and the federal level have, and continue to, investigate the practices of industry participants and enforce existing laws that are being broken, specifically animal cruelty, document forging, veterinarian malpractice, illegal transport and taxation issues. While the methods of marketing these animals may not be illegal, the U.S. equine community should not encourage or support the actions of these individuals and should instead support the many professional equine rescue organizations that exist in communities across the country, many of which can be found at https://unitedhorsecoalition.org/memberorganizations/#uhc-non-profit-members
