At W.P Equestrian we aim to create and uphold an ethical and sustainable venture. This most importantly refers to our moral and ethical responsibilities to our equine partners. As described in our mission and value proposition, we revere horses with the utmost respect. It is our privilege at W.P. Equestrian to learn from and work beside these incredible animals and share the powerful connection and insights gleaned from equine-assisted interactions. Thus, we ensure that our horses deserve and receive high welfare status noted by their freedoms, well-being, and quality of life. 

 

At W.P Equestrian, our treatment of horses abides by the following standards:

 

• Competency

  • All administrative members, staff, employees, facilitators, and volunteers at W.P. Equestrian have received and hold appropriate training and credentials related to their involvement in the equine-assisted leadership programming.

  • Animal handlers at W.P. Equestrian carry advanced knowledge related to equine well-being, needs, behaviors, and signs of stress. During programming, handlers are trained in and responsible for: maintaining supervision and control of the horse, reading and responding to the horse’s cues, providing and ensuring the horse ample rest throughout the workday and during sessions as needed, tending to and meeting the needs of the horse, and holding boundaries for the horse in activity as to not risk the horse’s safety or comfort. 

• Selection

  • All equine participants at W.P. Equestrian meet eligibility screening for equine-assisted leadership programming. This screening performed by an expert includes medical and behavioral evaluations to ensure the horse’s safety, well-being, and match for specific activities. W.P. Equestrian regularly re-screens and monitors our equine partners to protect their welfare. 

  • Before coming on location and/or interacting with our equine partners, clients of W.P. Equestrian must be deemed eligible for program participation. Clients will be screened for allergies, psychological and physical safety risks and concerns, and public health measures.

• Safety 

  • W.P Equestrian maintains a safe physical environment for its equine partners, providing clean horse-appropriate facilities. W.P. Equestrian ensures the physical structures are up to code and provides sanitation measures preventing zoonoses and other health concerns. 

  • All equine partners at W.P. Equestrian receive regular farrier and veterinary care and proper nutrition. Horses are routinely monitored, groomed, provided time and area for rest, as well as given freedom and space to express natural horse  behavior and socialize with members of their herd. 

  • W.P. Equestrian will provide clients with proper instruction, guidance, and supervision to interact with horses safely and appropriately. Clients will be provided protective and preventive safety items when applicable. 

 

As regulations and standards have yet to emerge regarding ethics in the field of human-animal interactions, W.P. Equestrian has relied on best practice guidance from the International Association of Human Animal Interaction Organizations, and The Handbook on Animal Assisted Therapy to create this document with the best intentions to support and protect the wellbeing and health of both the equine and human members of our program alike.