Source:  World Horse Welfare A comprehensive report on equine welfare in Ireland funded by leading international horse charity World Horse Welfare was launched at the University College of Dublin (UCD) on Thursday 3rd June.

 

The three year study entitled ‘Challenges and Solutions to support Good Equine WelfarePractice in Ireland' was led by a team of researchers at UCD's Veterinary Science Centre with collaboration from stakeholder groups in government, industry and animal welfare sectors. 

 

The report focussed on four key recommendations for Ireland's €1.5 billion horse industry; the regulation of horse fairs and markets, enforcement of horse identification, control of indiscriminate horse production and the humane disposal of unwanted horses. It found that horse production had outstripped demand in all sectors leading to the escalation of the country's equine welfare problems.
 
All stakeholder groups were represented at Thursday's launch with everyone in agreement that the Industry should take the lead in addressing the problems with support from the government and guidance from welfare charities. 

 

"World Horse Welfare is delighted with this report and how it has been received in Ireland," says Roly Owers, World Horse Welfare Chief Executive. "In fact we have been so encouraged by the project and the benefits it should bring to the future welfare of horses in Ireland that we have commissioned the University of Bristol to carry out similar work in England and Wales."