The Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines

British Columbia SPCA BCSPCA under the BC Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Both the BCSPCA and the Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada HWAC promote the use of the Code on their websites. The HWAC offers an online course to familiarize the horse owner with the information contained within the Code. 
Equestrian Canada encourages participants in equine sport in Canada to familiarize themselves with the Code and to take an active part in ensuring that horse sports in Canada always support equine welfare. The CVMA also promotes the Code and many veterinarians use it as an assessment guide when evaluating the suitability of care and housing for the horses in their practice.
Despite the review process every five years there will always be areas of disagreement on the recommendations laid out in the Code. The partners within the NFACC work hard to obtain consensus on controversial areas of livestock production and always fall back on scientific evidence tempered by the practical experience of the stakeholders in the industry. The CPCHE could possibly have more regulations in it to address management areas such as long distance transportation of animals or lessthanideal housing however it must be remembered that the development of the CPCHE is a dynamic process affecting an everevolving document. Revisions to the current Code are being worked on even now to address management areas which may need more regulation or more specific guidance within the document.
What does this mean for the average horse owner?
Most horse owners will find that they are already practicing many of the management recommendations and requirements laid out within the CPCHE. If after reading through the Code you find there are areas within your own barn management that do not meet the recommendation in the CPCHE its always possible to have a To Do list whereby you prioritize items or management areas you want to address over time. The CPCHE is intended to be as much about education as it is about assessment and regulation. However if a horse owner is in serious breach of the Code it is advisable to develop a plan with the farm veterinarian as soon as possible to address some of the most pressing issues. Horse owners who are actively working to bring up older facilities to meet Code requirements are always appreciated.
There are instances where the horse owners facilities are in no way adequate and it is apparent that horses