These guidelines on the handling and use of horses from an animal welfare perspective fundamentally revise and replace the previous guidelines issued by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) in 1992.

The Animal Welfare Act as it applies to equestrian sport and horse breeding is interpreted in more detail in the guidelines.
As Soenke Lauterbach, Secretary General of the German Equestrian Federation (FN), emphasises, the guidelines are not a law, but are intended to be applied as a proactive expert opinion. The guidelines serve as a guide and are referred to by the judiciary and authorities, such as official veterinary officers.

You can find further information on what the guidelines mean in concrete terms for equestrian sport and horse breeding on the FN’s website.

ANIMAL WELFARE IN EQUESTRIAN SPORTS – Brochure and further information –

Photo: Janne Bugtrup