Require all horse breeders to be licensed

Background

Introduce legislation requiring anyone who breeds, or allows a mare to be bred, in England to hold a local-authority licence. Licensing should apply from the first breeding event and set enforceable welfare standards for mares, stallions and foals, including housing, handling and veterinary care.

Additional details

Horse breeding can expose mares, stallions and foals to serious welfare risks, yet breeders are not specifically licensed. Licensing should apply from the first deliberate breeding event, regardless of profit or scale. It should require suitable facilities, competent handling, veterinary and breeding records, emergency plans, responsible planning for every foal, and safeguards against breeding from horses with known serious hereditary conditions.

Where it’s popular

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