It’s a sign of the times: the British Equestrian Federation has formed a new independent body to provide guidance and recommendations in connection with equine well-being and standards.
Remember the emphasis the FEI (international equestrian federation) puts on social license to operate, as public opinion of horse sports is emphasized. Here is link to a story I wrote last month about the impact of social license in a world where everyone has a video camera in their phone.
Britain’s Equine Welfare and Ethics Advisory Group will work to provide evidence-based best practice, make recommendations on critical issues within equestrian sport and develop guidance to promote an ethical horse/human relationship.
Those serving on the group include Roly Owers, CEO of World Horse Welfare; Dickie Waygood, the federation’s technical director and John McEwen, the British federation’s director of equine sports science and medicine.
According to McEwen,“This advisory body hasn’t been set up to defend our sports; more to champion further improved welfare standards which will ensure equestrianism and the sports under the control of the BEF member bodies operates in a safe and ethical environment.”
Next year, the group will cover equine welfare and safeguarding issues and the concept of social license with the mission to explore how best to support the BEF member bodies. Among areas of responsibility are:
• Identifying key threats and challenges, both real and perceived.
• Identifying and collating current issues and considering scientific evidence to support best practice.
• Providing a Federation-wide strategic overview of equine care, well-being and welfare in sport.
• Identifying areas in which further research is needed and research priorities.
• Advising and making recommendations on areas where rule changes should be considered.
• Advising the BEF on response to welfare issues.
Independent chair of the new group, Madeleine Campbell said; “I anticipate that the group will provide clear guidance and a framework for everyone to champion equine welfare in a way which clearly puts the horse’s well-being first and foremost and optimizes their care, and ultimately contributes to preserving our sports and to maintaining the social license to ride and keep horses in the future.”