Encouraging and supporting responsible horse ownership is the cornerstone of horse health and welfare. At MHC, we want to provide the information and resources horse owners need to ensure that every horse - from companion to elite athlete - thrives throughout their life. We support the work of the World Horse Welfare agency and their work to improve the lives of horses and the horse-human partnership in all of its forms.
The Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines was released in 2013 by the National Farm Animal Care Council. It is intended to promote sound management and welfare practices in regards to responsible horse, pony, donkey and mule ownership, health management, feeding, housing, feedlot management, principles of training, euthanasia and other husbandry practices. Consequently, it should inspire meaningful discussion on how people operate and improve how caregivers, and the industry in general, deal with grey areas.
The Code clearly identifies “Requirements” as well as “Recommended Practices”. Requirements will refer either to a regulation or an industry imposed expectation. The Code’s Recommended Practices further support the Requirements in conjunction with promoting education and the adoption of practices for continuous improvement in animal welfare outcomes. Interested in learning more? Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada offers Equine Code of Practice Training: click here.
In Canada, equine industry organizations such as MHC work closely with other partners including the Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System, regional animal health networks (Western Canada, Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic), governments, universities, veterinarians, laboratories and others to monitor diseases and share information.
At the moment, these networks are paying attention to:
Infographics on EIA in Canada, including what you can do to protect your horses
While the role of horses, ponies and mules has continued to evolve over time, our focus on the health and well-being of these trusty animals has remained steadfast. Whether for sport, work or companionship, Canada is home to nearly one million equines. The CAHSS Equine Network brings together stakeholders from across disciplines and across the country to advance disease surveillance for Canada’s equine population. An effective equine surveillance system is essential to protect the health and well-being of horses and humans, safeguard the viability of the Canadian herd, ensure movement of horses and continuance of trade, and enhance the prosperity of the Canadian equine industry.
For information on Federally Reportable Diseases and updates go to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
(EDCC) works to protect horses and the horse industry from the threat of infectious diseases in North America. The American based communication system is designed to seek and report real time information about disease outbreaks similar to how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) alerts the human population about diseases in people.
Working in cooperation with state animal health officials and the United State Department of Agriculture, the EDCC seeks information about current disease outbreaks from news media, social media, official state reports and veterinary practitioners. Once information is confirmed, it is immediately posted on this website and messages sent to all states and horse organizations by email. Daily updates are posted until each outbreak is contained or deemed no longer a threat.
The Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada (est. 2008) is an alliance of provincial equine organizations whose purpose is the dissemination of accurate information related to the Canadian horse industry to horse owners and the general public. MHC is currently represented on HWAC by board member, Wanda McFadyen.
Understanding Canada Transport of Animals Regulations
Statement of Purpose