EC Updates Horse Welfare Code, Complaints and Appeals Policy

The new Code of Conduct updates the definition of equine distress, includes horse overuse in competition and recognition of horses as sentient beings.

The definition of horse overuse in competition includes a noticeable decline in performance, physical capabilities, movement and/or mental well-being. (Juncala / Pixabay)

By: EC Communications | June 19, 2025

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you're listening to an article from horse sport.com. ec updates horse welfare code, complaints and appeals policy by: ec communications |. equestrian canada’s horse welfare code of conduct and discipline, complaints and appeals policy are part of ec’s safe sport suite of policies. these policies are designed to help create and maintain safe, inclusive and welcoming environments for all participants in sport. as part of our ongoing commitment to wellbeing and a positive sport culture, ec periodically reviews and updates our safe sport policies. changes approved to the horse welfare code of conduct at the june ec board of directors meeting are effective june 15, 2025. advertisement scroll to continue with content summary of revisions:. updated definitions – adding definitions for distress, learning theory and companionship with other horses. recognition of horses as sentient beings – defined by the ability to feel, perceive or experience subjectively. clarification of individual responsibilities and the duty to report. addition of examples of abuse and neglect, including a definition of horse overuse in competition. the updated horse welfare code of conduct was achieved thanks to the dedication of ec’s active equine health & welfare committee, and two working groups: horse overuse in competition and horse welfare code of conduct review. the committee and working groups brought together extensive expertise and lived experience across equine veterinary medicine, officiating and rules at both ec and fei levels, coaching, competition organization, athlete, and research in equine physiology, behaviour, and welfare. ec’s definition for horse overuse in competition is as follows:. overuse in horses may be defined by calendar year, competition period, month, week, competition or by day. a horse is considered to be in a situation of overuse when there is a noticeable/observable decline in performance, physical capabilities, movement and/or mental well-being. these declines may be combined with physical signs of discomfort, exhaustion, lameness, stride length, resistance to move forward, use of both leads, decline in jumping style. the above is not an exhaustive list of symptoms or combinations thereof and it is imperative that an official use their horsemanship skills and equine knowledge to make an informed, non-bias decision when determining whether a horse or pony is being abused through overuse, when being observed in the show rings or elsewhere on the competition grounds. ec will continue to develop and promote equine welfare education campaigns for our community and will provide a horse overuse in competition guideline document for ec officials. further to this policy work, the active equine health & welfare committee has submitted equine welfare changes to section a of the ec rulebook. all proposed rules will be published for a review/comment period in fall 2025, where ec sport license holders will be able to submit comments on the 2026 proposed rules. changes approved to the discipline, complaints and appeals policy at the april ec board of directors meeting are effective may 26, 2025. summary of revisions:. investigations – new parameters on investigations and the requirement that the complaint be heard and decision made based on the evidence brought forward by the parties. video/photo evidence – new provisions around the standards for photo/video evidence. only photos/videos submitted by someone that can personally attest to the contents of the image(s)/video(s); either the person took the photo/video or they witnessed the incident and can attest to the accuracy of the recording. appeals – new threshold to describe a base limit of what can be appealed, when the level of sanctions/decisions can be appealed (e.g. not be able to appeal, for example, a decision requiring an apology letter). canadian safe sport program (cssp) – changing osic references to cssp references. legal action – new provisions restricting the parties from commencing legal action before an entire discipline process has concluded. equestrian canada appreciates the collaborate efforts of all members involved, and the support of ec staff and counsel in delivering this important work. for more information about ec’s commitment to safe sport, click here.

Equestrian Canada’s Horse Welfare Code of Conduct and Discipline, Complaints and Appeals policy are part of EC’s Safe Sport suite of policies. These policies are designed to help create and maintain safe, inclusive and welcoming environments for all participants in sport.

As part of our ongoing commitment to wellbeing and a positive sport culture, EC periodically reviews and updates our safe sport policies.

Changes approved to the Horse Welfare Code of Conduct at the June EC Board of Directors meeting are effective June 15, 2025.

Scroll to continue with content

Summary of Revisions:

Updated definitions – adding definitions for Distress, Learning Theory and Companionship with other Horses.
Recognition of horses as sentient beings – defined by the ability to feel, perceive or experience subjectively.
Clarification of individual responsibilities and the duty to report.
Addition of examples of abuse and neglect, including a definition of horse overuse in competition.

The updated Horse Welfare Code of Conduct was achieved thanks to the dedication of EC’s Active Equine Health & Welfare Committee, and two working groups: Horse Overuse in Competition and Horse Welfare Code of Conduct Review.

The committee and working groups brought together extensive expertise and lived experience across equine veterinary medicine, officiating and rules at both EC and FEI levels, coaching, competition organization, athlete, and research in equine physiology, behaviour, and welfare.

EC’s definition for Horse Overuse in competition is as follows:

Overuse in horses may be defined by calendar year, competition period, month, week, competition or by day. A horse is considered to be in a situation of overuse when there is a noticeable/observable decline in performance, physical capabilities, movement and/or mental well-being. These declines may be combined with physical signs of discomfort, exhaustion, lameness, stride length, resistance to move forward, use of both leads, decline in jumping style. The above is not an exhaustive list of symptoms or combinations thereof and it is imperative that an official use their horsemanship skills and equine knowledge to make an informed, non-bias decision when determining whether a horse or pony is being abused through overuse, when being observed in the show rings or elsewhere on the competition grounds.

EC will continue to develop and promote equine welfare education campaigns for our community and will provide a Horse Overuse in Competition guideline document for EC Officials. Further to this policy work, the Active Equine Health & Welfare committee has submitted equine welfare changes to Section A of the EC rulebook. All proposed rules will be published for a review/comment period in fall 2025, where EC Sport License holders will be able to submit comments on the 2026 proposed rules.

Changes approved to the Discipline, Complaints and Appeals Policy at the April EC Board of Directors meeting are effective May 26, 2025.

Summary of Revisions:

Investigations – new parameters on investigations and the requirement that the complaint be heard and decision made based on the evidence brought forward by the parties.

Video/photo evidence – new provisions around the standards for photo/video evidence. Only photos/videos submitted by someone that can personally attest to the contents of the image(s)/video(s); either the person took the photo/video or they witnessed the incident and can attest to the accuracy of the recording.

Appeals – new threshold to describe a base limit of what can be appealed, when the level of sanctions/decisions can be appealed (e.g. not be able to appeal, for example, a decision requiring an apology letter)

Canadian Safe Sport Program (CSSP) – changing OSIC references to CSSP references.

Legal action – new provisions restricting the parties from commencing legal action before an entire discipline process has concluded.

Equestrian Canada appreciates the collaborate efforts of all members involved, and the support of EC staff and counsel in delivering this important work.

For more information about EC’s commitment to safe sport, click here.