Post by Catrin on Dec 22, 2012 11:53:25 GMT 1
In Germany stable sizes are very specific, based on wither height. Details of heating, ventilation and water provision are also specified. There are permitted levels for carbon dioxide in the air and hydrogen sulphide in water. All horses must at all times be able to see, hear and smell other horses. Apart from quarantine horses and mares with foals, they must also, at all times, be able to touch another horse.
If the horses are kept loose in a barn together, a very popular choice for many, they must be able to feed without being harassed by another horse, hence the arrangement in the second picture. Also there must be screened areas, which allow a horse to stand out of sight of a 'bully' but not be trapped. 'Quiet areas' must also be provided by screening, so that horses can lie down and sleep, but again not be trapped, and so that the horse can see other horses, as they would in the field when one guards and the rest sleep.
Another important welfare law of course allows you to cut hair that protrudes from the horse’s ears, but only for veterinary reasons
can you trim within. Cutting off a horse’s whiskers contravenes animal welfare legislation, because a horse needs them for protection.
In Switzerland the laws are even tighter and more specific. Horses not in work, like foals, broodmares and youngster must have two hours
turnout a day. All other horses must be moved daily, either ridden, lead, on the treadmill or walker but they must also, at least twice a week have two hours turnout where they can move freely. The keeper must keep a turnout diary. As in Germany the whiskers may not be removed, but in Switzerland this is listed under specific forms of cruelty that are not allowed with tail docking, twitching the tongue and moving or punishing with an electric shock.
Yes the laws are enforced. When we were living in Austria, two police officers arrived one day to question us on our horses' welfare. The police are your first line of approach if you consider there is an animal welfare problem. If, after a visit, they suspect there is a problem, they inform the State Vet, who will come and inspect themselves and recommend action. The welfare charities may then step in to help provide a solution.
In our case, it was August and we lived in a holiday village. A german tourist, passing the field, had noticed two TBs, one a normal weight and the other very thin, so seeing a starving neglected horse he went to the police station. The Police could see our grassy fields. We showed them the stables, with the ad lib hay, if they chose to come in, and the supplementary feed. We also showed them the monthly bills from the vet and Fossil's medication. They went away happy to report that the horses were well looked after but one of them was ill and receiving treatment. Sadly we lost Fossil the following week.
The prosecution in Germany was for keeping horses alone in a box, not allowing them free movement when out, causing bleeding through spur use during training and using Rollkur. Starnberg district court sentenced the owner/rider of three horses to a €27,000 fine.
The way in which the 44 year old woman rode and kept her horses, violated the Animal Welfare Act. The fine rate applied was €150 Euros for 180 days. In Germany, fines are levied according to the guilty person’s income, the more days, the greater the penalty is and the crime is considered to be. Shortly after the judgement was made known, equine law expert Gerd Sickinger commented, “It’s a heavy sentence. A fine in excess of 90 [days] labels one as a criminal. If the sentence stands, then every rider in Germany needs to take care.”
So the woman was effectively criminalised for the offences and a strong message sent out to other horse owners. But as another law expert said, probably 50% of german horse owners contravene the welfare laws in some way. Perhaps this high profile case will get everyone working towards better management of their horses.
If the horses are kept loose in a barn together, a very popular choice for many, they must be able to feed without being harassed by another horse, hence the arrangement in the second picture. Also there must be screened areas, which allow a horse to stand out of sight of a 'bully' but not be trapped. 'Quiet areas' must also be provided by screening, so that horses can lie down and sleep, but again not be trapped, and so that the horse can see other horses, as they would in the field when one guards and the rest sleep.
Another important welfare law of course allows you to cut hair that protrudes from the horse’s ears, but only for veterinary reasons
can you trim within. Cutting off a horse’s whiskers contravenes animal welfare legislation, because a horse needs them for protection.
In Switzerland the laws are even tighter and more specific. Horses not in work, like foals, broodmares and youngster must have two hours
turnout a day. All other horses must be moved daily, either ridden, lead, on the treadmill or walker but they must also, at least twice a week have two hours turnout where they can move freely. The keeper must keep a turnout diary. As in Germany the whiskers may not be removed, but in Switzerland this is listed under specific forms of cruelty that are not allowed with tail docking, twitching the tongue and moving or punishing with an electric shock.
Yes the laws are enforced. When we were living in Austria, two police officers arrived one day to question us on our horses' welfare. The police are your first line of approach if you consider there is an animal welfare problem. If, after a visit, they suspect there is a problem, they inform the State Vet, who will come and inspect themselves and recommend action. The welfare charities may then step in to help provide a solution.
In our case, it was August and we lived in a holiday village. A german tourist, passing the field, had noticed two TBs, one a normal weight and the other very thin, so seeing a starving neglected horse he went to the police station. The Police could see our grassy fields. We showed them the stables, with the ad lib hay, if they chose to come in, and the supplementary feed. We also showed them the monthly bills from the vet and Fossil's medication. They went away happy to report that the horses were well looked after but one of them was ill and receiving treatment. Sadly we lost Fossil the following week.
The prosecution in Germany was for keeping horses alone in a box, not allowing them free movement when out, causing bleeding through spur use during training and using Rollkur. Starnberg district court sentenced the owner/rider of three horses to a €27,000 fine.
The way in which the 44 year old woman rode and kept her horses, violated the Animal Welfare Act. The fine rate applied was €150 Euros for 180 days. In Germany, fines are levied according to the guilty person’s income, the more days, the greater the penalty is and the crime is considered to be. Shortly after the judgement was made known, equine law expert Gerd Sickinger commented, “It’s a heavy sentence. A fine in excess of 90 [days] labels one as a criminal. If the sentence stands, then every rider in Germany needs to take care.”
So the woman was effectively criminalised for the offences and a strong message sent out to other horse owners. But as another law expert said, probably 50% of german horse owners contravene the welfare laws in some way. Perhaps this high profile case will get everyone working towards better management of their horses.