Danish "Forum for Hestevelfærd" supports possible legislation in Denmark

The Forum for Hestevelfærd (Forum for the Welfare of Horses**)** has discussed the recommendations of the Danish Council for Animal Ethics on legislation in equestrian sports in a recent meeting. The participating organizations emphasized their constructive engagement in the ongoing discussion and signaled support for possible legal regulations.

The call for mandatory qualifications for managers of commercial horse farms and employees of such businesses was particularly welcomed. This should ensure a solid level of knowledge in the professional handling of horses - similar to what is already the case for farm animals in the agricultural sector.

The topics of doping and drug registration also met with approval. The organizations in the Forum for Hestevelfærd see a future legal regulation as a useful addition to existing standards. From 2026, official measures to record medication in the equestrian sector should take effect and the forum also wants to develop practical solutions to ensure transparent documentation of medication use before competitions.

In terms of training and equipment, many of the recommendations of the Danish Council for Animal Ethics are already in line with existing regulations of the individual horse associations. For example, measures such as the ban on tongue bands or the regulation of crops, spurs and nosebands have long been established. However, the forum sees a need for further clarification regarding the use of certain bits and the regulation of head and neck positions, particularly with regard to the term "behind the vertical".

The Forum for Hestevelfærd will provide its findings as a constructive contribution to the official decision-making processes and emphasizes the need for a differentiated, scientifically sound approach to the issue of horse welfare in sport.