Owning a horse is a huge responsibility, both financially and in terms of time. One aspect is making sure you have a horse passport, which is required by law. The following information and contacts may also help you.
If you're thinking of buying a horse or pony and have no previous experience, you'll need advice. You will be responsible for all aspects of the animal's welfare, from feeding through to exercise.
If you're not sure about the financial and time commitments involved with owning your own horse, you can contact an equine organisation, such as the British Horse Society Ireland, which produces information packs for horse owners.
Contacting equestrian specialists and visiting local stable yards will help you with your decision as to whether you have the lifestyle to manage a horse or pony. You should also get help if you are an experienced horse owner and are having problems coping with your commitments.
World Horse Welfare is a leading equine welfare charity offering advice to improve the lives of many horses.
Many horse owners will keep their animals at a riding school or livery yard. Both may provide riding facilities, a training area for schooling and grazing for your horse. Other facilities may include stabling and in-house services for looking after your horse.
One way of ensuring that the establishment you pick is accountable is to check to see if it is approved by an official body. All riding schools, according to law, must hold a licence to operate their business, which is granted by local authorities. Some riding schools may choose to get additional approval from an equine organisation.
The British Horse Society (BHS) operates an approval system for riding stables and livery yards. It will check to see that an establishment complies with all health and safety regulations, is insured against public liability and takes proper care of horses and ponies.
The Horse Passports Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 require all owners to obtain a passport for each horse, pony or donkey they own. These passports ensure that where a horse has been treated with veterinary medicines, it will not be slaughtered for human consumption.
More information about horse passports can be found on the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) website.
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