American Horse Defense Fund - Facilitates the protection, conservation and humane treatment of all equids through education, advocacy and litigation. Current campaigns include horse slaughter, Premarin, wild horses, soring, abuse.
Australian Horse Industry Council - Official information on horse health and welfare issues from Australia's peak industry body. Includes a horse emergency contact database (HECD) in case of natural disasters and exotic equine disease outbreaks.
Australian Racing Industry Welfare Guidelines - Adapted from recommendations by the International Group of Specialist Racing Veterinarians, these guidelines cover all aspects of racing, from the initial preparation of horses to their retirement.
Being taken for a ride - Very comprehensive and well researched factsheet from Animal Aid examining all aspects of the use of horse-drawn vehicles for tourism, with emphasis on the horse welfare issues involved.
Benefits of horse urine - June, 2002 story from the Australian ABC TV program Landline on a humane, free-range method of PMU farming, in which urine is collected from pregnant mares for the production of oestrogens and related hormones for the pharmaceutical industry.
The Bitless Bridle - Informative site on a new type of bitless bridle which is more humane and effective than a hackamore or bosal. Includes scientific articles on the pathophysiology and behavioural problems caused by bits.
Bitless Equitation - The benefits of the bitless bridle. FAQs, action pages, user testimonials and online sales.
Brooke Hospital for Animals - Established in 1934, this organisation is committed to alleviating the suffering of working equines worldwide by providing a free veterinary service and educating owners in how to correctly care for equids.
Bullfighting: A Tradition of Tragedy - PETA factsheet explaining that the bulls are not the only victims. The blindfolded and often surgically muted picadors' horses are frequently knocked down and gored so badly they are disemboweled.
Carriage Horses - A PETA factsheet outlining the poor working conditions for carriage horses - loads too heavy, ill-fitting harness, long hours of work in sometimes extreme weather conditions, lameness and ill-health are common, housing and general care often inadequate.
Carriage Horses: Cruelty is the Name of the Trade - Exposes the truth about the abuse and inhumane treatment of carriage horses, including headlines from major newspapers reporting such incidents. Also has ordering information for Greta Bunting's book "The Horse: The Most Abused Domestic Animal".
Dead on Arrival - British RSPCA report (1999) on the plight of horses transported for slaughter in Europe. It is one of 200 publications produced by the RSPCA to educate and inform people about animal welfare.
Emergency Euthanasia - UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine article on when to make the euthanasia decision and how to carry it out as humanely and quickly as possible in the absence of a veterinarian.
Ending the Cruel Practice of Horse Slaughter - Animal Welfare Institute article (2002) that truly exposes the cruelty of the horse slaughter industry. Written by John Hettinger, a Trustee of the New York Racing Association, who has pushed tirelessly for a ban on the industry.
Equine Charities - This non-profit website is dedicated to raising funds and awareness of 501(c)3 Equine rescues, rehabs and adoption programs across the US.
Equine Production and Performance (USDA 1997) - Discussion papers on horse welfare issues including soring, competition injuries, transport and slaughter, carriage horses, premarin farms, feral horse control, also highlights care and management practices detrimental to welfare.
EquiSearch - Equine Rescue and Welfare Issues - Read real-life experiences and solutions, as well as information about the professional organizations to call on for help in cases of equine abuse and neglect.
FOSH - Friends Of Sound Horses - This American-based organisation takes an activist role against the soring of Tennessee Walking Horses, also promotes education and training in the humane care, training, and treatment of all gaited horses.
The Fund for Horses - Texas-based organisation whose mission is to promote and safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of all horses, whether captive or in the wild.
Heat stress in endurance horses - 2001 scientific paper from Sydney University explaining how to reduce heat stress, a major cause for concern in the welfare of endurance horses. Examines reduction of body heat production and ways to improve heat dissipation.
Help Horses - Resource Links - A listing of useful links outlining ways to help horses in abuse situations, including those requiring rescue or refuge. Includes anti-slaughter petition, free classifieds and web site design.
The Home of Rest for Horses - The Charity looks after up to 120 retired horses, ponies and donkeys from all walks of life including the police, army and Riding for the Disabled. Also provides equine welfare grants. Chilterns, Buckinghamshire.
Hooved Animal Rescue and Protection Society - Founded and run by Donna Ewing, HARPS focuses on rescue, rehabilitation, education, and legislation to protect horses and other hooved animals in the United States. Based in Barrington, Illinois. Emailed newsletter and online horse care resources.
Horse Behaviour and Psychology: Welfare - Defines "welfare" and "well-being" and presents the welfare code of the New Zealand Equine Federation. Highlights welfare contraventions inherent to intensive management practices, particularly in the racing industry.
Horse Learning and Behaviour - Non-invasive scientific research into the thinking and learning abilities of horses, also public education based on this research to improve horse welfare.
Horse Slaughter - Political action committee which promotes the protection of US horses against slaughter for human consumption abroad. Member list, alerts on relevant legislation, and information on how to join.
Horse Slaughter: An American Disgrace - An Equine Advocates Inc site arguing for an end to the brutal and inhumane horse slaughter industry in America. Presents many facts and figures.
Horse Tripping - In Defense of Animals factsheet on the cruel sport of horse tripping, still practised at larger Mexican-style rodeos and as backyard entertainment. Includes description and history, strategies for getting it banned and contact information.
Horse Ulcer - Story from the Australian ABC TV program Catalyst on the high incidence of gastric ulcers in racehorses and pinpoints lack of roughage as the main cause of this serious welfare problem. Veterinarians Dr Leanne Beggs and Dr John Walker are interviewed.
HorseMates! - A database where ownership as well as physical, behavioural and health details of any horse can be entered free. Designed to protect and enhance the welfare of horses and ponies when they are sold on.
International League for the Protection of Horses - ILPH provides education and training programs to improve horse welfare in the developing world, also operates rehabilitation and rehoming centres in the UK for abused equines.
Just Say Whoa!! To Horse Slaughter - Information on the horse slaughter industry, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act - HR857, the two remaining slaughter houses in Texas, ways to help stop horse slaughter and related links.
MaryNash.org - Information, news, correspondence, photographs, arguments for and against, up-to-date statistics and links relating to slaughter of horses for human consumption in Texas.
National Equine Disaster Relief - Provides emergency help and advice for horses caught in natural disasters, also a state-by-state listing of people able to take in animals facing evacuation. Excellent links to disaster planning sites and how to minimise risks to animals.
North American Equine Ranching Information Council - NAERIC represents ranchers involved in the collection of pregnant mares' urine (PMU). Presents a positive slant to the Premarin debate, including that the horses are managed according to strict welfare guidelines.
Novel Pliance Saddle System - Technical information on a software system that measures pressure distribution under the saddle which can pinpoint bad saddle fit, gait asymmetry, back pain, also the effectiveness of rider's aids.
Pain-free Riding - Explains how current riding practices can cause pain to the horse and offers new ideas about shoeing, bits and saddles. The website is in Italian and English.
Physical stresses on two-year-old racehorses - Student essay (2001) from Sydney University outlining training methods that may decrease the incidence of dorsal metacarpal disease (shin soreness) and heart problems that compromise the welfare of young Thoroughbred racehorses. Bibliography included.
Physiological responses of horses in transit - Animal welfare essay (2001) from Sydney University examining the physiological responses to stress associated with long-haul sea, air and land transport of horses. Explains ways to minimise this stress and includes references.
Premarin and PMU Info Page - Contains information about the treatment of horses on the PMU farms where pregnant mares urine is collected for the production of Premarin.
Premarin Farms - Welfare issues associated with the treatment of pregnant mares on farms used to produce the hormone replacement therapy drug Premarin. Contacts, links and information about the farms and Premarin itself.
The Premarin (PMU) Industry - This Equine Advocates Inc site points out that the production of Premarin has cost the lives of over a million horses. It provides related facts and figures and in-depth information on proven synthetic alternatives to Premarin.
Professional Opinions (Animal Welfare Council) - What the experts say about the welfare of animals in entertainment, industry, sport and recreation. Discusses horses in rodeos and the Premarin industry, also whether horses are livestock or companion animals (pets).
Ripley's Horse Aid Foundation - This organization provides emergency help with feed, vet care, farrier services and building materials to established horse rescue groups, also advises on welfare and health care.
Safe Haven for Donkeys in the Holy Land - SHADH provides care for abandoned and abused donkeys and mules and works to raise awareness and develop education programs to reduce the cruel treatment of these animals throughout Israel and the Palestinian Territories.
Safe Trailer Campaign - Blue Cross campaign highlighting the dangers facing horses through poorly maintained trailers. A downloadable leaflet offers practical guidance on trailer safety.
Sound Horse Organization - Represents individuals, farms, businesses and associations opposed to the soring of Tennessee Walking Horses. Educates the public, lobbies to affect change, donates funds to other horse welfare groups, also operates a rescue service.
The Strasser System of Hoofcare - An ILPH press release (March 2001) warning about some dangers of using the Strasser system of hoofcare. Arguments for and against, opinions of farriers, vets and welfarists, also links to related sites.
The Swedish Animal Welfare Society for Horses - Outlines the many different ways this society works to improve the welfare of horses - educates horse owners and offers support where necessary, assists and advises authorities, operates shelter facilities.
Training Mythunderstandings - Ongoing series of training articles from Meredith Manor showing how using horse logic rather than human logic achieves an improved end result while also promoting better equine welfare.
Traumatised horses - Case studies from Herdword on the successful rehabilitation of mentally stressed, psychologically damaged, emotionally disturbed and physically injured horses.
UK Racing Injuries Seminar Report 2001 - Training strategies that decrease the incidence of racetrack injuries. Examines key factors such as duration and intensity of fast work, age of horses, biomechanical soundness, surface conditions.
Welfare of equids ever-evolving - AVMA (Feb 2000) article presenting the veterinary viewpoint on accelarated improvements in horse welfare - discusses natural horsemanship, horse slaughter and transport issues, premarin farms, rodeos, carriage horses, racing.
Welfare of Horses in Research Institutions - Insightful information on care and handling methods that safeguard welfare and improve research data validity, based on understanding the species-typical behaviour of horses. Covers housing, exercise, grooming, feed and water, environmental enrichment devices.
Welfare of slaughter horses - Sydney University student essay highlighting the injuries, stress and dehydration suffered by horses transported long distances to slaughter. Examines current legislation and regulations in Australia and overseas and ways conditions can be improved. Bibliography included.
What is Natural Hoofcare? - Describes a natural system of hoofcare which extends to the whole horse, including no stabling or rugging. The method advocated by Dr Hiltrud Strasser allows horses to perform barefoot in any discipline to their welfare advantage. Strasser books for sale and links to related sites.
Working Together For Equines - WTFE operates education and training programs to improve the husbandry of working equines worldwide. Present projects, staff contacts and newsletter articles are on the site.
1999 World Trotting Conference - Horse Welfare - Paper presented by Dr Hugh Wirth outlining RSPCA Australia's stance on horse welfare issues, including the use of horses for harness racing and other forms of entertainment. Outlines areas of concern and the difficulties of defining "welfare".
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