First Meeting of the International Horse Sports Confederation: Focus on Horse Welfare

At the first meeting of the International Horse Sports Confederation (IHSC), the FEI and the IFHA confirmed that they share the same core values of protecting horse welfare and discussed in detail the different models under which both organisations operate.

The two organisations came to the conclusion that there are many commonalities and opportunities for further cooperation. Although there are operational differences due to regulatory requirements of our sports, both organisations are united by the horse and a shared philosophy built on our common values.

The FEI and the IFHA have joined forces by the creation of the IHSC and agreed on the priority to work together in the following fields always with the aim of ensuring the highest standards for welfare of the horse:

• The continued commitment to fight against doping and any abuse of horses;

• The cooperation with the OIE to facilitate the international movement of horses through the adoption of the concept of the “High Health High Performance Horse (HHP)”;

• Assist the industry by surveillance of and reporting of diseases;

• The creation of a Fund for joint initiatives to support the horse sports industry;

Further to recent allegations in the United States of America raised by PETA and reported on 20 March 2014, the IHSC strongly declares that animal cruelty has no place in its sports and urges the US Authorities which are investigating these allegations to leave no stone unturned.

Moreover, the IHSC calls on PETA to immediately and as a matter of urgency share with the relevant regulatory bodies all the materials they may still hold with regard to horse welfare in order to allow them to undertake the necessary actions.
Working groups were established to deal with the issues listed above.