The Animal Welfare Act stipulates that persons who keep animals are responsible for protecting their lives and well-being, as well as providing them with appropriate feeding, care and accommodation according to their species and needs. It is naturally in the interest of the Holsteiner Verband that its members ensure the welfare of the horses in accordance with the animal welfare guidelines.

Based on the Animal Breeding Act, the tasks of the breeding societies include identifying horses, verifying pedigrees, issuing passports and conducting a breeding programme. Penalising animal welfare violations is the responsibility of the district veterinary offices, which are in charge of monitoring compliance with the Animal Welfare Act. Furthermore, the Holsteiner Verband sees it as its responsibility (with its animal welfare officer Dr Thomas Nissen) to support and urge its members to ensure species-appropriate keeping and care of the horses.

The Holsteiner Verband has already taken action in the current case of a large-scale horse-keeping farm. Representatives of the association have meanwhile visited the site and held discussions. The objective of the Holsteiner Verband is now to work with the owner and the supervisory authorities to ensure a viable concept for species-appropriate horse keeping at Gestüt Grönwohldhof.