Welfare of Equids: Guidance

Buying and selling

Pre-purchase

Before purchasing an equid, potential owners should carefully consider the responsibilities and costs associated with equid care, including:

• Purchase cost
• Annual maintenance costs, including:
  • livery costs,
  • field and fencing maintenance,
  • feeding and forage,
  • farriery,
  • dental care,
  • test led de-worming programme and vaccinations,
  • veterinary care,
  • emergency veterinary treatment,
  • insurance,
  • essential equipment appropriate to the breed and environment (e.g. rugs).
• Succession plan or end of life considerations.

Time commitment and the owner’s existing knowledge and experience of equid care should also be assessed.

Pre-purchase veterinary examinations are strongly advised and may be necessary for some insurance companies. Owners should consult their veterinary surgeon to determine whether a full five-stage veterinary examination is necessary or if a two-stage examination is sufficient. It is advisable to use your own or an independent veterinary surgeon.

Each equid is an individual, and factors such as breed, temperament, intended use, and suitable methods and locations for keeping it should be thoroughly thought through to ensure a suitable match.

Selecting an appropriate equid can help prevent behavioural and welfare problems in the future. While no process guarantees success, the following actions can improve outcomes:

• Visit, meet and assess several different equids before purchasing.
• Seek advice from an experienced person.
• Assess the equid’s general behaviour, experience with handling and any other requirements.
• If the equid is intended to be ridden then ride in all intended activities (e.g. hacking, jumping, flatwork).
• Arrange at least two trials of the equid before committing.

Owners and keepers should also make contingency plans, such as:

• Provision for emergency stabling and transport.
• Access to isolation facilities if the animal becomes ill.
• Alternative care arrangements in the event the owner or carer becomes incapacitated.

Selling and rehoming

When selling an equid, the welfare of the animal should remain the top priority.

• Owners should be open and honest, carefully assess potential buyers, and ensure the equid is placed in a suitable new home.
• Owners should consider whether rehoming is in the equid’s best interests, particularly for veteran equids or those with ongoing health issues. Alternatives such as a long-term loan or euthanasia may be more appropriate in some circumstances.
• Owners should create adverts that accurately reflect the equid’s age, breed, experience, medical history, behavioural traits, and intended purpose. Use reputable equid-focussed websites and follow platform-specific rules regarding animal sales.
• Refer to guidance from the Pet Advertising Advisory Group for legal obligations relating to microchipping and passports. Guidance on selling a pet.
• Owners should thoroughly investigate prospective buyers before arranging a viewing. Telephone conversations are preferable to text or email for assessing experience and suitability. Ask for riding/handling videos, references from instructors or yard managers, and verify information where possible.
• At viewings owners should:
  • Have the equid’s passport and relevant documents available.
  • Passport and relevant documents should be provided to owner at point of sale.
  • Allow the buyer to handle the equid where safe and appropriate.
• Ensure the buyer’s skill level matches their claims.
• Be prepared to end the viewing if welfare or safety is compromised.
• Ask about the buyer’s facilities to ensure the new environment will meet the equid’s needs. Be honest about the equid’s requirements and history.