Horse owners in France will have to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of their animals’ needs, following approval of new legislation. The French government plans to enact three new requirements as part of new inter-species legislation which aims to combat animal abuse and strengthen the bonds with companion animals.
The new “knowledge” certificate will apply to any horse owner who is not licensed by other governing bodies such as the FFE (French Equestrian Federation) which applied a similar initiative for its members in 2019. It will be an offence for anyone without the certificate to sell or gift a horse, and also an offence for a buyer to buy or accept a horse from someone without the certificate as well as failing to hold the certificate themselves.
The certificate will be based on the FFE’s Galop Level 4 skill level (of seven levels) which involves an online theory module and a practical completed at a FFE affiliated riding club.
FFE president Serge Lecomte has long lobbied the government to extend this knowledge requirement to non-members and non-professionals. FFE expects the new laws to apply within the year.
The categorisation of equines as companion animals is also significant. In most leading equestrian nations, the ambiguous legal status of equines means they tend to slip through the net of certain animal protections.
Another new law will oblige horse owners to register neurectomies (desensitising surgery) in horse passports.
There are also new safeguards for barn operators against unpaid livery/boarding fees, which will be considered abandonment. After three months the barn owner can trigger a legal process which could culminate in the courts authorising the auction of the animal.
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