A new document has been released to help provide support and important information on care standards for those involved in equine rescue, retirement and adoption/rehoming facilities in the province of Ontario.
The document, “Ontario Care Guidelines for Equine Rescue, Retirement and Adoption/Rehoming Facilities” has been developed by a working committee composed of several provincial groups and associations to provide information to assist horse rescue, retirement and adoption/rehoming facilities. The working committee, called the Ontario Equine Welfare Information Group, included representation from Equestrian Canada, Equine Guelph, Ontario Association of Equine Practitioners (OAEP), Ontario Equestrian Federation (OEF), Ontario Harness Horse Association (OHHA), Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association/Ontario Racing, Ontario Veterinary College, Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA), Whispering Hearts Horse Rescue, and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
The information in the document provides important support for those wishing to provide a better life for unwanted horses by running rescue or rehoming farms or for those who are providing sanctuary or retirement places. It includes information on nutritional management for thin or starving horses, body condition scoring, working with an equine veterinarian to identify and manage the most common issues these horses may face, and other helpful information. It also incorporates the standards from the Canadian Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines and self-assessment guides to ensure compliance to the standards of welfare.
“Our goal in creating this document is two-fold: to provide quality information for rescue organizations in their efforts to rehabilitate and rehome horses and to protect the welfare of our most vulnerable equines. “Ontario Care Guidelines for Equine Rescue, Retirement and Adoption/Rehoming Facilities” used in combination with the “Canadian Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines”, will accomplish both.”- Dr. Mary Bell, Equestrian Canada
Digital copies of the document can be obtained from following websites:
Equestrian Canada www.equestrian.ca
Equine Guelph http://www.equineguelph.ca/education/welfare.php
OAEP http://ontarioequinevets.ca/horse-owners/horse-health-information/
OEF http://horse.on.ca/category/news/
OHHA https://www.ohha.ca/news/newsroom/releases/#.WLWaR9LR91s
Ontario Racing http://ontarioracing.com/Industry-Information/Industry-Links.aspx
OVMA www.ovma.org
Whispering Hearts www.whhrescue.com
Horse Rescue
For information on the Canadian Equine Code of Practice: