The Showing Council has produced a document known as the "Welfare Guidance Unified Rules" and represents welfare-led best practice guidance in keeping with our wish to uphold our Social Licence to Operate.

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This document has been developed to support responsible ownership, promote best practice, and will continually seek to support improvement of the ways in which we keep our horses by prioritising their wellbeing. A scientific evidence base, supports its recommendations and will be reviewed annually as new evidence emerges.

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Not only is the adoption of this guidance showing  support and understanding of 'evidence based' best practice around welfare for our equines, but it could provide valuable support should any organisation find itself part of a legal situation around welfare. If an organisation is acting in-line with agreed best practices, or can demonstrate it is actively managing any gaps it may have in meeting the recommended best practice, it will be seen to have actively managed the risks for the environment, thereby minimising risk.

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This may stand organisations in a better position should they have an associated case being brought against them in a court of law, for instance. It is at such times that best practice in an industry or area of business, would be referred to assist and, should there be such a document in place, it would demonstrate adopted practices, protocols and guidance were in place and this could act as a benchmark for accepted standards within the industry and seek to offer some protection.

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To read the document in full, please click the link below:​​