Following a trend towards improved protection of equine well-being, Northern Ireland has announced that it has drafted welfare codes for horses.

The creation of these guidelines by Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) “must be applauded,” according to the British Veterinary Association (BVA). The BVA also stated that they have “welcomed” the publication of these codes.

“With an increase in abandoned or welfare-comprised horses—largely due to the recession and overbreeding—comprehensive advice on the owning and caring for horses as set out in the draft code is timely, and we hope it will go far in helping owners understand their horse’s welfare needs,” said BVA president Carl Padgett, BVMS, CertCHP, MRCVS, as stated in an article about the codes in the Jan. 28 issue of the Veterinary Record