|
Post by kateanne0 on Jan 28, 2017 17:18:44 GMT
At the TSR own shows the designated official will be either a BHS Welfare Officer, a vet or an official who has received training from one of the recognized welfare societies. You should note that it is only offering advice. We have insurance cover for this and we are in the process of putting together the best practice guidelines. Will you have a designated welfare officer for the overnight stabling at any of the shows? Thereby ensuring that no animal is tied up for the night and that all animals will have sufficient water and hay? What about the working in areas are they going to be monitored as well? I think I recall something about training from BHS to cover welfare, will training be available to those that might want to volunteer to help? Some of us can't stand in a ring all day to steward but may be willing to undergo training to help in these areas.
|
|
|
Post by the showing register on Jan 28, 2017 20:40:39 GMT
Thanks for the comments. We are asking for remarks on what would constitute best practice for owners and officials.
A horse sleeps on its feet in the field so is it OK to leave it tied up with hay and water ? These are questions that need discussing.
We are consulting BHS,WHW and anyone else interested. At our shows we have only ever had one instance that gave cause for concern and exhibitors should come and compete in the normal way without any fear of a witch hunt, if there was something obviously to the detriment of an animal our vet or officer would only offer advice not anything more severe and that seems a measured response. We are not turning into welfare police just wanting to encourage good horse management always putting the horse before your own needs.
Ponies of Britain had a strong welfare emphasis but this is no longer a part of societies so it is important that as showing people we look to safeguard ponies and horses in our sport especially to people starting out who may copy what others do without the knowledge behind it.
This broader approach is in direct response to threads such as these and our consultation which started of with just rider weights.
Training officials is in the pipeline but WHW have doubts about who might want to do it and for what reasons so we are treading carefully at the moment.
|
|
|
Post by kateanne0 on Jan 29, 2017 12:07:03 GMT
Thank you for the reply TSR.
I think you are correct to tread carefully. There are many welfare issues, being tied up with access to hay and water may be alright if there was a valid reason for keeping the horse on it's feet. There are more significant issues with keeping a horse tied up with side reins on all night, are there not? These are purely examples.
It is certainly essential to choose candidates for training that have the capacity to see the overall situation and have the capability to enter into a discussion reasonably and non-confrontationally. Plain common sense and the ability to reason is what is required in any candidate chosen for training, together with a broad understanding of best practice welfare for the horse.
|
|