ITALY RECOGNISES HORSES AS A SUBJECT NOT AN OBJECT
The Italian government has become the first to officially recognise the horse as an athlete by law, in a move welcomed as an “interesting development”.
The decision was made at the end of January by the Italian government, at a conference titled “Horse athlete: protections and prospects”, organised by the Italian equestrian federation (FISE).
The article continues…
The legislation means that a horse is defined as an “athlete horse” when specific requirements are met; it is registered with FISE and declared not for human consumption.
“Italy is a pioneering country in the legal recognition of the horse as a true athlete,” a FISE spokesman said.
“Italy, with FISE at the forefront, is therefore a world leader for equine welfare, in particular regarding ‘athlete horses’ involved in equestrian sports.
“This is an historic decision by the Italian government.”
Representatives of the FEI, the Italian ministry of health and the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) were among those at the conference.
IJRC director Eleonora Ottaviani, who contributed to the debate, said: “This law provides the opportunity to finally recognise the horse as subject, and no longer object, in our sport. The well-being and welfare of horses has long been an area of mutual collaboration between the IJRC and the FEI.
“The news of the enactment of this important law in Italy was greeted with enthusiasm by the members of the IJRC. For the first time, the words ‘athletic horse’ or ‘athlete horse’ have become a legal term.”
#MOHM THREATENED?
We’ve been threatened by those in the horse racing industry and those who benefit from horse slaughter more times than we can count.
But we are not going away.
We are going to persist until horse slaughter no longer exists for any purpose within Australia -- and until the horse racing industry makes drastic changes.
We are going to continue our hands-on work to offer lifelong sanctuary to as many horses as possible. We generally have 20 at just one of our locations - at any given time.
We have the acreage to take on more horses as financial support allows.
PACEMAKER TACTICS IN RACING
PACEMAKERS, TEAM TACTICS & THE GREY AREAS OF HORSE RACINGHorse racing is not always as straightforward as it looks. While most punters turn up expecting a fair contest of speed, stamina, and jockey skill, the reality can be far more complicated. Take the recent...
THE DARK SIDE OF DRESSAGE
ANDREAS HELGSTRAND, ROLLKUR & THE DARK SIDE OF DRESSAGEIn November 2023, Danish broadcaster TV 2 aired an undercover investigation, Operation X: The Secrets of the Horse Billionaire, which sent shockwaves through the horse world. The documentary revealed...
Join us on social media and become a keyboard warrior.
