Training is crucial for equine welfare
A leading academic in equine welfare says that combined practical and theoretical training is crucial if the industry is to meet equine welfare standards.
Professor Derek Knottenbelt OBE, senior lecturer at the University of Liverpool said: "Training for its own sake is of no value. It is no good knowing the theory and not the practical, and it's no good knowing the practical and not the theory. If you can put the two together then you get something really positive and this is what this conference is doing."
Prof. Knottenbelt was keynote speaker at an event hosted by Lantra Sector Skills Council and the National Equine Welfare Council. The event was held to launch an agreement that will address skills and training issues in the industry. The Sector Skills Agreement brings together for the first time employers, voluntary organisations, learning providers and governments across the UK to ensure that training and subsequent funding meets the needs of businesses.
Prof. Knottenbelt added: "I'm still learning every day of my life. To have the same situations always arising would be a great help, but the only predictable thing about a horse is that it is unpredictable. This means that we have to keep learning, so that hopefully we will have enough not to make so many mistakes."
Lantra Industry Partnership Manager, Lisa Jarvis said: "Training can help businesses and organisations meet many of the challenges the industry faces.
"This new skills agreement is a positive step to ensure that training is relevant and helps horse owners stay in line with new legislation."
Also speaking at the event, Nicolas De Brauwere MCRVS, head of welfare at Redwings horse sanctuary, said: "Although no one willingly neglects the needs of their horse in this country, I think there are a lot of people who unwittingly compromise the welfare of their horse by just doing what they have been taught, or told by someone who doesn't actually know any better themselves."
"There is a lot of value in experience handed down from generation to generation, when it is based on good practice. Passing on bad practice is hugely damaging and I think that is where the training sector has a massive responsibility to provide accurate evidence that we all agree on."
Executive Secretary of NEWC, Elaine Cannon, added: "In order to deliver good horse health and welfare, everyone involved needs to ensure that they update their knowledge regularly to meet current requirements of horse care standards and the skills needed to meet those requirements.
"The Equine Health and Welfare Strategy has already brought these issues to the fore and Lantra's Sector Skills Agreement will play a crucial role in assessing the current quality and availability of educational material and qualifications.
"Owners and keepers of horses need to be fully aware of their responsibilities under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the concept of 'duty of care'."
