New Guidelines Document to help Horse Rescue Organizations

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:

http://www.nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice/equine

Share:

November
2
2022
Last call for the Equine First Aid online short course! Starts Monday @TheHorsePortal & runs for one week, Nov 7-14. Learn how to make
July
29
2022
The Ontario Harness Horse Association will be closed on August 1st,2022 and will reopen to regular business hours on August 2nd, 2022 (9-5:00 pm).
July
11
2022
On the fence if the #OEEEP is for you? See what current employers and graduates have to say about the program. #OEEEP is a
June
30
2022
OHHA Office will be closed Friday, July 1st, 2022 (Canada Day) and reopen Monday, July 4th, 2022. Enjoy the long weekend!! Canada Day