Canadian equestrians are being invited to weigh in on the draft update to the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines, which has been released for public comment until March 16, 2026. This marks the first full revision of the Code – a basic guide for owning and caring for horses – since its original publication in 2013.
Although Codes of Practice are not laws, they carry significant weight and are frequently referenced in animal welfare investigations, used by insurers and industry organizations, and relied upon as benchmarks for what constitutes ‘reasonable care.’
A Brief History
The current Equine Code of Practice was first published in 2013 under the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) framework. In 2018, the NFACC conducted a required five-year review, which reaffirmed the Code without a full rewrite. The review concluded that while the document remained largely valid, several areas would benefit from deeper scientific review in the future, which formally began in 2023. A multi-year update process was launched that included national welfare surveys, a new Scientific Committee tasked with identifying priority equine welfare issues, an expanded 15-person Code Development Committee representing industry, veterinary, welfare, and regulatory perspectives, and a full redrafting of the Code text based on updated evidence and feedback.
While the updated Code of Practice core principles remain familiar, the draft represents a significant modernization, reflecting advances in equine welfare science, changes in federal regulations, and evolving expectations around horse care, training, and end-of-life decision-making. Readers may also note that some areas are less specific than others, which is to account for regional differences in practice across Canada. At the same time, the draft raises important questions about clarity, practicality, and implementation that stakeholders may wish to consider before submitting feedback.
What Has Changed
1. Stronger Use of Current Welfare Science
The most significant shift is how explicitly the updated Code is grounded in priority welfare issues. The 2013 Code was based on the best available science at the time; since then, understanding of equine pain, behaviour, learning theory, and psychological well-being has advanced considerably. The 2025 draft integrates modern research findings on pain recognition and management, behavioural needs and social contact, handling and training practices, management of young and aging horses, and end-of-career and end-of-life decision-making.
Example: In the older Code, pain is primarily addressed in the context of obvious injury, illness, or invasive procedures. In the draft, there is clearer emphasis on recognizing subtle behavioural and performance-related indicators of discomfort.
Area of concern: While this reflects sound science, behavioural indicators can be subjective. Some stakeholders may question how consistently such indicators can be assessed across different environments and by different observers, particularly without clear benchmarks or examples.
2. Clearer Expectations Around Caregiver Responsibility
The draft strengthens expectations around knowledge, planning, and decision-making before and during equine ownership. There is greater emphasis on assessing suitability before acquiring an equine, ensuring caretakers have adequate resources and contingency plans, and recognizing when professional veterinary or expert intervention is required.
Example: The older Code focused primarily on meeting daily care needs. The draft places more responsibility on pre-purchase assessment and long-term planning.
Area of concern: Some may worry that these expectations, while reasonable in principle, do not sufficiently account for changing life circumstances or the realities of small or casual equine operations. Commenters may wish to request clearer acknowledgement of flexibility and context.
3. Updated Alignment With Federal Regulations Regarding Transport
The draft updates transportation-related language to align with amendments to the federal government’s Health of Animals Regulations that came into force in 2020. It clarifies expectations around fitness for transport and decision-making prior to loading, knowledge of transporters, food, water, and rest while on the road, and contingency planning due to breakdowns, accidents or weather, while continuing to defer detailed requirements to the separate transportation Code.
Area of concern: Some readers may find it difficult to navigate across multiple documents. Clearer cross-referencing or guidance on how the Codes interact in practice may be recommended.
4. Greater Emphasis on Behaviour, Social Needs, and Mental Well-being
The draft places more explicit emphasis on behavioural health, social contact, and opportunities for movement and natural behaviour.
Example: Where the older Code discussed turnout and social contact more generally, the draft more clearly links social isolation and restricted movement to welfare risk.
Area of concern: While the welfare intent is clear, implementation may be challenging in some settings due to climate, facility design, or safety considerations. Stakeholders may wish to ensure that expectations are framed in a way that recognizes regional and operational diversity rather than promoting a single model of care.
5. More Detailed Guidance on End-of-Career and Euthanasia Decisions
Retirement and end-of-life decision-making is addressed more directly in the draft, with stronger emphasis on quality-of-life assessment and timely euthanasia when welfare is compromised. There is also additional practical information carcass disposal, as well as related mental health and grief considerations for the human caretakers.
Example: The draft encourages proactive planning rather than crisis-driven decisions.
Area of concern: Some caretakers may feel that the language places emotional or ethical pressure on owners without providing enough practical decision-support tools. Commenters may wish to see clearer references to veterinary collaboration and acknowledgement of the complexity of chronic but manageable conditions.
Other changes of note
- Exercise and Training is an entirely new section, with a strong emphasis on learning theory.
- Under Health Management, Bio-Security has been added, including standards, protocols and best practices. Other new health management topics include identifying pain, and assessing appropriate fitness for work or competition, whether the horse works or competes at a recreational or elite level.
- Arena Footing and Maintenance has been added to Facilities and Housing.
- Under Feed Management, Refeeding Syndrome has been added for safely feeding malnourished, emaciated, or starved horses, such as those who come into rescues.
- Reproductive Management now includes guidance regarding orphaned or premature foals.
- There is an entirely new chapter on Emergency Prevention and Preparedness, including responding during barn fires, wildfires, power failures, evacuations and motor vehicle accidents.
- Husbandry Practices has added enrichment to turnout and social opportunities, ensuring that horses are provided with enjoyable mental stimulation.
- New downloadable/printable guides and checklists include emergency telephone numbers, fire service maps, signs of dehydration, learning theory, recognizing pain, and end-of-career considerations, among others.
Your Opportunity to Have a Say
The draft Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines is open for public comment until March 16, 2026. NFACC has emphasized that all submissions will be reviewed and considered by the Code Committee before the document is finalized. The final equine Code of Practice will be released in early 2027.
Whether you manage a lesson barn, compete at a high-performance level, operate a breeding farm, or care for horses recreationally, this is an opportunity not only to support welfare advances, but also to help ensure the final Code of Practice is practical, clear, and workable across Canada’s diverse equine community.
Review the revised Code of Practice and comment here.
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