WA Horse Standards and Guidelines

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Consultation is now closed.

Thank you to all who provided feedback to the WA Horse Standards and Guidelines.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has reviewed submissions and published a report summarising the consultation response.

DPIRD is now reviewing the WA Horse Standards and Guidelines taking into consideration the comments and recommendations received during consultation. Further updates on the project will be provided on this page as the project progresses.

* * * * *

Background to the WA Horse Standards and Guidelines

The Western Australian Government recognises the value of animal welfare to our community and strives to ensure all animals receive appropriate standards of care. As companions and working animals, horses have an important place in the lives of many Western Australians.

Standards and Guidelines for the Health and Welfare of Horses in Western Australia (WA Horse Standards and Guidelines) have been developed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), in consultation with experts in horse husbandry, welfare and veterinary science.

The document sets out the minimum standards that owners and people responsible for horses must follow to ensure the health and welfare of horses kept in WA. It also provides recommended guidelines and additional information to further protect and promote the health and welfare of horses. All information in this document is based on current scientific knowledge and reflects recommended industry practice and community expectations.

See the Consultation documents section on this page to download a copy of:

Consultation process

WA community and organisations were asked to provide feedback on the draft WA Horse Standards and Guidelines, to help:

  • provide an understanding of community expectations regarding the care of horses and
  • identify how compliance with the standards may impact people, businesses and horses in WA.

To provide feedback, members of the public were asked to complete an online survey.

In addition to completing the survey, written submissions were accepted via email to animal.welfare@dpird.wa.gov.au by the closing date.

Stakeholders were able to gain further information via the Questions section below or by emailing animal.welfare@dpird.wa.gov.au.

If you have any difficulties making a submission, please email: animal.welfare@dpird.wa.gov.au.

Submissions closed on Monday 19 December 2022 at 4pm AWST.

DPIRD appreciates the time taken by the WA community to comment on the draft WA Horse Standards and Guidelines. Thank you all for your input into the consultation process. Your submissions have contributed to our understanding of this important issues.

A report providing a summary of the survey data and a snapshot of written feedback to the consultation has been published on this page.

A wide range of views and beliefs have been received and presented. The desire to improve the welfare of horses in WA is a shared goal, and there is a high level of support for the introduction of minimum standards for people who own or care for horses.

DPIRD is now reviewing the WA Horse Standards and Guidelines taking into consideration the comments and recommendations received during consultation. Further updates on the project will be provided on this page as the project progresses.

More information

For more information, please contact animal.welfare@dpird.wa.gov.au

Consultation is now closed.

Thank you to all who provided feedback to the WA Horse Standards and Guidelines.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has reviewed submissions and published a report summarising the consultation response.

DPIRD is now reviewing the WA Horse Standards and Guidelines taking into consideration the comments and recommendations received during consultation. Further updates on the project will be provided on this page as the project progresses.

* * * * *

Background to the WA Horse Standards and Guidelines

The Western Australian Government recognises the value of animal welfare to our community and strives to ensure all animals receive appropriate standards of care. As companions and working animals, horses have an important place in the lives of many Western Australians.

Standards and Guidelines for the Health and Welfare of Horses in Western Australia (WA Horse Standards and Guidelines) have been developed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), in consultation with experts in horse husbandry, welfare and veterinary science.

The document sets out the minimum standards that owners and people responsible for horses must follow to ensure the health and welfare of horses kept in WA. It also provides recommended guidelines and additional information to further protect and promote the health and welfare of horses. All information in this document is based on current scientific knowledge and reflects recommended industry practice and community expectations.

See the Consultation documents section on this page to download a copy of:

Consultation process

WA community and organisations were asked to provide feedback on the draft WA Horse Standards and Guidelines, to help:

  • provide an understanding of community expectations regarding the care of horses and
  • identify how compliance with the standards may impact people, businesses and horses in WA.

To provide feedback, members of the public were asked to complete an online survey.

In addition to completing the survey, written submissions were accepted via email to animal.welfare@dpird.wa.gov.au by the closing date.

Stakeholders were able to gain further information via the Questions section below or by emailing animal.welfare@dpird.wa.gov.au.

If you have any difficulties making a submission, please email: animal.welfare@dpird.wa.gov.au.

Submissions closed on Monday 19 December 2022 at 4pm AWST.

DPIRD appreciates the time taken by the WA community to comment on the draft WA Horse Standards and Guidelines. Thank you all for your input into the consultation process. Your submissions have contributed to our understanding of this important issues.

A report providing a summary of the survey data and a snapshot of written feedback to the consultation has been published on this page.

A wide range of views and beliefs have been received and presented. The desire to improve the welfare of horses in WA is a shared goal, and there is a high level of support for the introduction of minimum standards for people who own or care for horses.

DPIRD is now reviewing the WA Horse Standards and Guidelines taking into consideration the comments and recommendations received during consultation. Further updates on the project will be provided on this page as the project progresses.

More information

For more information, please contact animal.welfare@dpird.wa.gov.au

  • CLOSED: This survey has now closed. The DPIRD team is currently reviewing responses and formulating a summary report.

    Survey - WA Horse Standards and Guidelines

    63 responses

    The Standards and Guidelines for the Health and Welfare of Horses in Western Australia consultation draft (Horse Standards and Guidelines) describes the minimum requirements to meet the basic welfare needs of horses (minimum standards), and recommended practices to achieve desirable welfare outcomes (recommended guidelines). Once finalised, the Horse Standards and Guidelines will apply to all owners and other people responsible for horses (Equus caballus) kept in WA; they do not cover wild, feral or free-ranging horses (i.e. those that do not have an owner or person in charge) or other equid species, such as donkeys.

    Have your say on the proposed Horse Standards and Guidelines 

    In addition to completing the survey, written submissions will be accepted via email to: animal.welfare@dpird.wa.gov.au

    The survey and written submissions close on Monday 19 December at 4pm AWST.

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Page last updated: 11 Mar 2024, 03:06 PM