New laws in France that aim to combat animal abuse have been welcomed by the equine sector and will include a “knowledge certificate” for horse owners.

It is one of three new laws that aim to improve equine welfare.

Private horse owners not already licenced under a governing body will be required to undertake education to demonstrate their knowledge about equine management.

A decree will define the content and the methods of issuing the certificate, which will be required by all private horse owners within a year.

Since the establishment of this initiative, French Equestrian Federation (FFE) President Serge Lecomte had argued for a legal framework to be established for non-professional holders.

The new law was published in the Official Journal of the French Republic on December 1, 2021.

• Via HorseTalk »