ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE (SCOTLAND) ACT 2006

The Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 places a duty of care on pet owners and others responsible for animals including horses and ponies to ensure that the welfare needs of their animals are met.  It also allows the Scottish Parliament to make futher policies to regulate other animal-related activities to be regulated, including for example the running of livery yards.

The vast majority of horse owners take proper care of their equines but there are some who fail to meet their horses' basic welfare needs while not being deliberately cruel.  We therefore consider that education in horse care is a necessary pre-requisite to hose ownership.

The duty of care that an equine owner or keeper has is based on the "Five Freedoms":

• Freedom from hunger and thirst;
• Freedom from discomfort;
• Freedom from pain, injury or disease;
• Freedom to express normal behaviour; and
• Freedom from fear and distress.

A Equine Code of Practice will be issued which gives advice on how to provide your horse or pony with care that ensures it has the five freedoms.  BHS Scotland is leading the way on drafting this Code with other equine and animal welfare organisations.

Until the Code is published BHS Scotland has nearly thirty free educational leaflets on how to care for your horse or pony.  If you have any questions about how to care for your horse or pony please contact BHS Scotland