Equine Code of Practice - Progress Updates

June 2025

The equine Code Committee (CC) held its third in-person meeting in April 2025 in Vancouver. As with meeting #2, subcommittee leads led discussions involving the full CC regarding proposed amendments, additions, and deletions to existing Code content. Deliberations were very collaborative and highly productive. Discussions also acknowledged that noteworthy changes have taken place within the industry over the past decade.

Shortly before the meeting, CC members received a final draft copy of the Scientific Committee Report. During the meeting, members were provided with an overview of the next steps for the report (e.g., peer review) and a series of guidelines to follow when reviewing all draft content. Once again, the Chair of the Scientific Committee provided the CC with a presentation of their summary findings regarding priority welfare topics jointly agreed upon by both committees during meeting #1. 

As a team-building exercise, the CC was taken on a group tour of a well-known and highly equine-centric neighbourhood in Vancouver. Pedagogically, the tour enabled CC members to see first-hand, and to reflect upon, a variety of unique care and handling needs associated with maintaining equine well-being in the West Coast environment.  

By the conclusion of day two, plans were in place to increase the frequency of on-line subcommittee and CC meetings to help ensure that all chapter content will be fully ready for final review during face-to-face meeting #4 (to be held in August). Meeting #4 will also be the final meeting prior to the eventual launch of the 60-day Public Comment Period.

February 2025

The equine Code Committee (CC) held its second in-person meeting in Ottawa in late November 2024. Each subcommittee led discussions with the full CC regarding proposed amendments, additions and deletions to the existing Code content. It was a very collaborative, highly productive meeting with robust discussion. Committee members also received a thorough update on the ongoing research activities of the Scientific Committee.  

As a team-building activity, the CC visited the RCMP Musical Ride Stables, where they were given a behind-the-scenes tour of the stables and riding arenas. It was a great opportunity to learn about the rich history of both the buildings themselves and the horses living there.

By the end of the two-day meeting each of the subcommittees had clear direction for their next phase of section updates. Since the November meeting, the subcommittees have continued to deliberate (amongst themselves) about prospective edits to existing Code sections.

Looking ahead, the entire CC will meet in April to continue deliberations. Meeting three will be the penultimate in-person session prior to the submission of the draft Code in advance of NFACC’s 60-day public comment period. The Chair of the SC will also provide a final summary of all remaining research conducted regarding the priority welfare issues.  

October 2024

Both the Equine Code Committee and the Equine Scientific Committee met jointly in Calgary on August 28 & 29, 2024. This was the first face-to-face meeting associated with the Code update. Over the course of two days several important deliberations took place. Most notably, both committees were able to agree on a finalized list of Priority Welfare Issues (i.e., explicit research topics that the Scientific Committee will review, synthesize, and report on by May 1, 2025). 

Following the meeting, Code committee members voluntarily agreed to assume respective roles on numerus Code sub-committees (sub-committees are tasked with reviewing, proposing, and sharing prospective updates to existing Code content on a chapter-by-chapter basis). All sub-committees are currently reviewing and discussing existing Code content. Prospective edits or updates to any existing chapters will be presented for full committee deliberations during the second face-to-face Code meeting (scheduled for November 2024).  

Results of the top-of-mind survey undertaken at the outset of this Code’s update will soon be published on the equine Code webpage.  

August 2024

The process of updating the equine Code of Practice began in early 2024. Initial activities included the distribution of an equine top-of-mind public survey and the formation of both the equine Code Committee and equine Scientific Committee. Shortly afterwards, virtual meetings were held to (i) introduce all participants to the NFACC Code Development Process, (ii) outline the anticipated timeline for the update, and; (iii) provide an overview of basic administrative activities.  

In addition, the Scientific Committee engaged in a robust online review of all priority welfare issues submitted by members of the Code Committee. This initial review, as with all Code developments/updates, was conducted in accord with key qualifying criteria including the existence of available scientific research on a per issue basis. Given the need for the Scientific Committee to report its findings to the Code Committee by April 30th, 2025 -- combined with a late summer, initial face-to-face meeting of both committees -- the Scientific Committee consensually agreed upon (and have begun addressing) one of what may subsequently total six priority welfare issues. When both committees meet in late August, all remaining priority welfare issue nominations will be collectively reviewed and consensually agreed upon. All issues selected will comprise the scope of the Scientific Committee report. Any issues not selected will be addressed by the Code Committee throughout the Code development process. Planning for the August meeting is actively underway.