Equine Care & Welfare Policy

• Equines will have access to clean water, clean living spaces, room to stretch, and access to medical care.

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• We must be mindful of the signs and symptoms of stress, pain, and illness in equines. The sooner we recognize and react to the warning signs, the sooner we can provide appropriate care for our equines. Stay abreast of the signs of colic, pain and/or injury, choke, laminitis, abscesses, etc. If we ignore these warning signs, the equines could be in danger of further illness, injury, pain, and even death. Have protocols of emergency care, including a well-stocked equine first aid kit and emergency contact information easily accessible.

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• When equines are not in work, understanding that equines need appropriate amounts of social interaction and ability to move freely. Ensuring that equines have access to enough space to move around freely, including space to trot or canter if necessary, and that they have the opportunity to interact with other equines or animals.

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• Equines should have a balanced, nutritional diet. Know what you’re feeding your equines and what their appropriate nutritional needs are by consulting with your vet or equine nutritionist. Also take into account how much work they are doing, the weather, and if they have access to enough forage during the day. 

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• Stay up to date with all vaccines and maintenance care for equines, including regular farrier visits and dental visits. It’s also important to address any health concerns immediately with your veterinarian. It is helpful to keep a journal or tracking document for each equine with their medical history, including baseline temperature, pulse, and respiratory values.

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• Equines who work in any capacity need appropriate time to rest and recover. To provide adequate rest, we recommend no more than 2 hours consecutive work in EFL/EFP, no more than 3 hours consecutive work in mounted lessons, and no more than 4 hours of total work per day. We recommend a minimum of 15 minutes rest and relaxation between sessions. Additionally, equines need adequate rest overnight of at least 12 hours and ensure they have access to soft, clean places to lie down.

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• We do not recommend leaving halters on when equines are not working. Equines need sufficient non-human contact time, which includes the removal of any form of equipment.

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• Equines are sentient beings. Equines experience psychological and emotional distress, just as humans do. As compassionate equestrians, we must make sure that we are avoiding unnecessary and undue emotional and psychological stress. Being mindful of what we’re bringing into the space with equines is important to acknowledge and rectify if causing stress.

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• Know your equines. Spend time with them to understand their needs, behaviors, and personalities, and accommodate that accordingly.

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• Ensure that all equipment for the equines is properly fitted. This includes halters, bridles, saddles, saddle pads, girths, bits, and reins.

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• In the event that an equine can no longer work, ensure you have created a compassionate and thorough plan of care. Whether that’s retiring the equine, rehoming the equine, or in worst case scenarios, euthanasia, have a plan ready that takes into consideration the best quality of life for your equine.

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• In alignment with USEF, Stable Strides Foundation does not allow unethical treatment of equines in our programs or partnerships. The unethical treatment of an “equine” is defined based on USEF Rulebook Guidelines GR838 as any action or inaction that may negatively compromise the “equine’s” health, safety, or well-being. It may include any action(s) or inaction(s) that cause or are likely to cause pain, a state of obvious distress, or unnecessary discomfort. Examples of unethical treatment may include, but are not limited to:

  • Misuse or excessive use of a whip, spur, or bit;

  • Misuse or excessive use of any equipment or device, including tack;

  • Any practice or use of devices or objects used to enhance performance based on fear or intimidation;

  • Training, riding, or competing with raw, bleeding, or irritated skin or welts consistent with excessive or inappropriate use of equipment, including spurs; 

  • Continued work of an obviously exhausted, lame, or injured equine;

  • Failure to provide living space(s)that is/are free of manure and.or excessive mold; and 

  • Failure to provide living space(s) with adequate ventilation and/or clean water access.