These days it is still no exception to see horses with trimmed ears or trimmed whiskers. But in terms of animal welfare this is not what we like to see. However, banning incorrectly groomed horses from examinations is taking it too far from the Studbook’s point of view. ‘Once again we would like to draw attention to the new grooming rules as well as set the right example. That is what we are planning to do this year’, Sabien Zwaga explains on behalf of the KFPS.
‘Since January 1st 2013 the Animal Act has come into effect in the Netherlands. This act does not give any specific details as to equine welfare. The government has transferred further regulations to the Equine Sector Council (SectorRaad Paarden). With this in mind the SRP has produced a policy in 2009 called ‘Equine Sector Welfare’. In 2011 this has resulted in the Good Management Guide which includes a ban on trimming of ears and whiskers.’
Following the Equine Sector’s lead, the KFPS came up with its own welfare policy in 2009 which will be in place until the end of 2014. This policy states that horses should be correctly groomed and also explains how the KFPS is planning to implement this policy. Zwaga: ‘It was our intention to inform and instruct our members in 2013. In 2014 we would start to enforce our policy, in other words, any incorrectly groomed horse would be denied access to the inspection ring.’
Set the right example
So far no Friesian horse has been banned from taking part in examinations because of trimmed ears. ‘It appears that other studbooks have not progressed to this stage and we believe there is no need for the KFPS to jump the queue.’
What’s more, up till now no details have been laid down in inspection regulations about the correct way of grooming a horse’s head. ‘You can only enforce the policy if this is fully endorsed by regulations. As yet, this is not the case.’
What do the new rules for grooming involve? It is no longer allowed to trim the insides of the ears. When you squeeze the edges of the ear together all protruding hairs may be removed. It is also allowed to trim around the edges. It is no longer allowed to trim the whiskers around the eyes. For trimming muzzle whiskers the KFPS maintains a minimum length of 2cm.
‘These whiskers have a function: for the horse they act as feelers. The hairs inside a horse’s ears protect him from vermin, cold as well as dirt. It is okay to trim the hairs which grow on the jaws, the so-called beard, although it is not allowed to burn them away’, Sabien Zwaga explains.
‘It is our job to promote this policy. We made a start last year but we can do better. Therefore we have reconsidered our plans for enforcing the policy in 2014. We prefer to set the right example by properly communicating all this to the people and giving them some time to get used to it. At the end of the year we will evaluate the process and consider our options for carrying out the policy.’
The current policy from FHANA is that this rule does NOT apply to us. This policy of FHANA’s was agreed upon with the KFPS last year. The article in the KFPS newsletter may be an attempt from the KFPS to slowly get us to see it the EU way. As they stated in the article "giving them some time to get used to it." This rule will NOT be in effect for 2014…
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