Equine Canada (EC) and the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) announced the release of the new "Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines" on June 27.

The new code is available for download online.

“The development of this new code is perhaps the most important project in recent Canadian history for the health and welfare of equines in Canada,” states Jack de Wit, director of the EC board of directors and chair of the code development committee. “This is a code of practice we can all be proud to have. It is among the most comprehensive of equine codes internationally, and will serve a vital role across our diverse industry.”

The code’s development was led by an 18-person committee comprised of equine owners, caregivers, animal welfare and enforcement representatives, researchers, veterinarians, and government representatives. Aiding in their work was a five-person scientific committee that included researchers with expertise in equine behavior, health, and welfare