Transporting Horses Policy Centre Protocol Routine and non-routine handling of horses will be undertaken in a manner that minimises risk of pain, suffering and disease. This will be achieved through the following methods:-

• appropriate induction of staff/volunteers to ensure appropriate handling techniques are employed at all times

• ensuring all equipment is in safe working order • ensuring housing, temperature and ventilation enhance welfare

Transporting Horses Fitness of horses to travel Prior to travel, assessment of any horse for ‘fitness to travel’ will be undertaken by a suitably experienced member of staff. This assessment will ensure:

• that the horse is fit for the journey (and must remain sufficiently fit throughout the journey) • that all documentation, such as authorisations or Equine Passports are available • any vaccinations in relation to the journey (routes and destination) have been undertaken • that any equipment used for travelling is fit for purpose

Vehicle There is a maintenance schedule in place to ensure any centre owned vehicle used to transport horses is roadworthy and meets any legislative requirements. The vehicle will have (as minimum)

• sufficient floor space and height for the horse(s) • suitable and safe access/egress for horse(s) and their handler(s) • will have facility for individual stalling and securing of horse(s) • suitable ventilation • anti-slip flooring/bedding, as required • natural lighting • safe, working fittings

Planning Journeys Preparations for travelling are determined by the following factors:

• duration of journey • The need to minimalise periods of horse(s) being left unattended in a vehicle, in particular where

doing so may pose a risk to the horse. • rest periods to offer opportunity to check for signs of stress/discomfort

• feeding/watering needs • vehicle type • seasonality (temperature and humidity) • positioning of any companion horses • emergency procedures e.g. breakdown or should a horse become ill en route

Receiving horses after travelling Assessment of horse(s) is undertaken upon arrival at the centre whereby the following factors influence the procedures undertaken:

• if a resident horse or ‘new arrival’ • observation of horse eg state upon arrival • duration of journey • event/activity attended/undertaken • feed/watering needs

Horse(s) are monitored following travel. When a resident horse arrives it is returned to its normal housing situation, e.g. field or stable. When a ‘new arrival’ arrives the centre isolation procedure is undertaken Health and Hygiene The vehicle will be cleaned between use to ensure it is kept clean. This will involve removing excreta and any waste bedding or food materials. Routine, regular cleansing and disinfecting of the vehicle will take place in between periods of use. When horses are transported in connection with an economic activity eg as part of a business, the below current legislative requirements are adhered to, such as:

• The Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006 (or the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Wales) Order 2006)

• The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licenses) Regulations 1999 • The Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Regulations 1995 • The Animal Welfare Act 2006

The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order Protection of horses during transportation:

• Handling and transportation of horses is undertaken in a way that does not, or is not likely to cause them undue suffering or injury. This is evidenced through Centre Protocol.

Means of transport and transport policies • Vehicle used will be is designed, constructed, maintained and operated to avoid suffering and injury,

and to ensure the safety of horses. Competent and/or trained handlers

• Where a horse is transported over 65km and the journey time is up to eight hours, the person transporting the horse will hold a valid Certificate of Competence.

Transport authorisations and journey logs

• Where a horse is transported up to 65km the horse must be accompanied by an Animal Transport Certificate.

• Where a horse is transported over 65km and the journey time is up to eight hours, the person transporting the horse is required to hold a valid transporter authorisation.

• Where the journey time is over eight hours the horse or horses must be accompanied by a journey log.

• Where the journey time exceeds eight hours, the vehicles and containers used for the transport must be inspected and approved.

The below regulations are adhered to: The Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Regulations 1995 If the horse box or lorry is used in connection with a business, or in connection with any form of commercial activity an Operator’s license will be in place to drive a horse box or lorry with a maximum authorised mass of over 3.5 tonnes, or an unladen weight of over 1525kg The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licenses) Regulations 1999 Under the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licenses) Regulations 1999, a category C1 driving license is needed to tow a horse box where the maximum authorised mass exceeds 3.5 tonnes (but not 7.5 tonnes). If it does exceed 7.5 tonnes, a category C driving license is required. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 This contains a number of general provisions relating to the welfare of animals. You have a general duty of care to ensure the horse’s well-being when transporting horses.

Grove House Stables LLP – 29.4.19 Biosecurity Plan – Prevention and control of spread of disease

Centre protocol

Hygiene measures are implemented to maintain biosecurity and help with prevention of spread of equine infectious and contagious diseases.

In the event of confirmation of contraction of infectious contagious diseases, a communication plan will be adapted in agreement with Veterinary advice and will consider the following aspects:

• Staff and clients (human footfall) • Possible routes of transmission • If the disease is notifiable (required by law to be reported to government authorities) • If the disease is zoonotic (can be passed from animals to humans) • Facilitating competitions/events on site • Any necessary restrictions upon horse movements on/off site • Notify other Equestrian businesses / centres in the locality

A record is kept of horses that are isolated. The information comprises:

• Horse details (name, owner details etc.) • date of arrival into/leaving Isolation • reason for Isolation • background information • veterinary visits (dates/notes) • medication, staff comments and initials

Isolation facility and procedures

The isolation paddock is located at the bottom of the yard. The paddock has a field shelter that can also be used as a stable. The paddock is away from any other paddocks that are used for grazing and the pony / horse can’t come into contact with any other horses or ponies.

There will be an appointed member of staff that will deal with the horse / pony. The member of staff must wear overalls and make sure that they have washed their hands correctly after contact with the horse / pony. There is also hand sanitizers and foot dips will be available while the horse / pony is in isolation

Preventative biosecurity measures

Staffing

• All staff are made aware of cleaning regimes in order to maintain good standards of yard hygiene, including use of PPE and washing hands etc.

• suitably experienced staff that are trained and proficient in biosecurity measures have designated responsibility to undertake the care and monitoring of health of any newly isolated horses

• separate, protective clothing and footwear is used when dealing with isolated horses

Horses

• all newly arriving horses at the yard (for permanent residence) will be isolated for a minimum of 21 days in either a field or a stable where they cannot touch other horses

• horses isolated in a field have their own water supply and do not share this with other fields and or horses.

• visiting horses will be stabled/field kept away from resident herd • visiting horses will have had appropriate vaccinations and be accompanied by their equine passport to

evidence currency (as required) • there is restricted access to isolation area e.g. no public, specific staff • Sharing of equipment between horses e.g. grooming kits, water buckets, haynets and rugs is avoided. • any resident horses that frequently leave/return to the yard will be vaccinated • materials/equipment in contact with isolated horses are cleaned and disinfected between use with a

Defra approved disinfectant and is stored separately • potential contaminated waste materials are separately disposed of • routine daily health monitoring of new horses will be undertaken with any concerns being reported

appropriately

In the event of an outbreak

Increased biosecurity measures, barrier nursing (taking extra precautions to ensure the disease cannot spread) will be undertaken to help contain any diseases and minimise spreading within the yard and beyond.

• Horses showing signs of infectious or contagious disease e.g. cough, coloured nasal discharge, fever (>38.5oC), skin lesions (e.g. ringworm) will be isolated immediately

• Appropriate staff will be allocated with direct responsibility • The horse(s) will be placed in strict quarantine and isolated with a boundary of 20m “airspace” in an

area where there is not contact with other horses • Veterinary advice will be sought and followed • The horse will be monitored with regards to TPR, appetite and any adaptations to diet/exercise will be

made • The effected horse will be cared for after non-infected horses to reduce the likelihood of disease

transmission.

• All horses on the yard will have increased monitoring through observation and taking temperatures - ensuring thermometers are disinfected between horses

• A record of dates and names of horses that have had contact with the isolated horse will be made and these will be considered as potential ‘risk’ horses (as next point)

• A traffic light system will be implemented – colour code horses into groups eg Red for those that have had direct contact with the ill horse Amber for those that have been near the ill horse Green for those that have had no contact with the horse

• Veterinary advice will be sought and followed on any retesting for clearance (depending upon situation) and returning to routine management

• Overalls will be worn to care for the isolated horse, with full barrier nursing in place. • All equipment will be disinfected after the incident has been resolved • The isolation stable will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected with a Defra approved disinfectant and

the bedding appropriately disposed of.