Removing the bIinkers
Advocating for equines in the EU.
Advocating for equines in the EU.
Together with the Eurogroup for Animals and other stakeholders in the equine sector, including vets and NGOs, we developed a report entitled Removing the Blinkers: The Health and Welfare of European Equidae in 2015. The report not only assesses the scale of the equine sector in Europe and the legislation that affects these animals, but it also details the main health and welfare challenges faced by equids in the EU.
Due to their unique relationship with humans, equines play many roles in today’s society and can move between them throughout their lifetimes, which makes them incredibly vulnerable. Legislation protecting horses, donkeys and their hybrids is often drafted for a certain category (e.g., production horses) or drafted to encompass other animal species, leaving most categories of equines unprotected. The report, the first of its kind, highlights this and proposes legislative changes to address these issues. It has provided the sector with an evidence base from which to more effectively advocate for laws that will help improve the lives of equids living in the EU.
Find out more about our EU work relating to the responsible ownership of equines.
