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Riding Safely

Strategy for the Horse Industry in England and Wales

The Riding Safely Guide to the Strategy

The first ever strategy for the horse industry in England and Wales was launched on the 6th December 2005 by the British Horse Industry Confederation (BHIC), in partnership with Defra, DCMS and the Welsh Assembly Government.

The Strategy sets out a vision of where the industry aspires to be within ten years, how the different parts of the industry fit into this picture, and how the Government can help it in following this path.

The Strategy and all supporting research and consultaion phases can be downloaded from Defra >>>

 

 

At-a-Glance Guide
The final Strategy is 108 pages long.  Riding Safely has produced an at-a-glance-guide to the strategic 8 Aims and 50 Actions.

Simplified Strategy and Aims diagram

Below is more about the Aims and Actions.  Against each action is the relevent page number detailing where it appears in the Strategy which may need to be consulted to get the full context surrounding the action.
 
"Priorities" within the table are defined as:

‘Short-term’ = within one year, ‘medium-term’ = between one and five years,

‘long-term’ = between five and ten years. ‘On-going’ is used in some cases to reflect the fact that these actions are already progressing and by their nature, have no specific end date.

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Riding Safely's formal response to the consultative draft is available below:
 
 
 
Although the Strategy is published and "live" Riding Safely hopes that the Industry is able to address the additional proposals for action through some of the 50 existing actions.
 

 

Risk management

 

Proposed Action A – Managing Health, Safety and Environmental Risks.

Action: Set up an industry led working group and with the assistance of health, safety and environmental professional advice:

·    establish relationships at a strategic level with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and other relevant external agencies.

·    develop and implement a health, safety and environmental risk management programme

Which would include but not be limited to:

·    identifying key industry health, safety and environmental risks

·    ensuring the development and communication of industry core and sector specific information and guidance

·    developing mechanisms to obtain industry specific safety, health and environmental performance data (both reactive and proactive)

·    developing mechanisms to monitor known associated strategies and forthcoming legislation for significant changes that may impact on the horse industry and communicate pertinent information at an early stage so that appropriate pro-active action can be implemented.

·    ensuring appropriate targeted training

·    monitoring the programme for beneficial outcomes

 

Responsibility & Resources: to be determined

Priority: high

Timescale: short-term

 

 

 

 

 

Sharing Best Practice

 

Proposed Action B - Best Practice Abroad

Action:  Establish links with horse industries and their representative organisations in other countries with a view to sharing best practice.

Responsibility & Resources: to be determined

Priority: medium

Timescale: short-term

 

 

 

 
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Press Releases/Other Media
 
A landmark achievement for the Horse Industry as its first ever Strategy is launched 
The first ever strategy for the horse industry in England and Wales was launched on the 6th December 2005 by the British Horse Industry Confederation (BHIC), in partnership with Defra, DCMS and the Welsh Assembly Government.
The Strategy sets out a vision of where the industry aspires to be within ten years, how the different parts of the industry fit into this picture, and how the Government can help it in following this path.
Since publishing ground-breaking research by the Henley Centre in March 2004, Defra and the horse industry have been working together to develop a joint Strategy to foster a robust and sustainable horse industry, increase its economic value, enhance the welfare of the horse, and develop the industry's contribution to the cultural, social, educational, health and sporting life of the nation. The draft was published in February 2005 and following a successful public consultation period, the final strategy has been produced.
Some of the suggestions raised in Riding Safely's formal response to the consultative draft have been incorporated into the final strategy.
At the launch event at Lee Valley Riding Centre in Leyton, London, Jim Knight, Defra's Minister for the Horse Industry said:
"This day marks a significant milestone in the strengthening partnership between Government and the horse industry. The Strategy is testimony to the major contribution which the horse industry makes, both to our economy in general and to the lives of so many people in cities and rural areas across England and Wales.
"From rural regeneration and environmental protection, to health and education, the horse industry has a key role to play in delivering our national priorities. I share with the BHIC a strong conviction that the industry has the potential to develop further and contribute more - and this Strategy is aimed at unlocking that potential.
"While today's launch is an achievement in itself, the success of the Strategy will lie in harnessing the enthusiasm and the continued positive efforts of everyone interested in horses, or engaged in horse-related business. Government for its part will continue to work with the industry to achieve common objectives, which include improving access to safe off-road routes, increasing and widening participation in equestrianism, raising standards of business performance and enhancing the health and welfare of horses, ponies and donkeys.
"I urge everyone concerned with horses and equestrianism to read this Strategy and pledge their support, so that we can move forward in unison to deliver the vision it sets out of a strong, vibrant and sustainable future."
The Chairman of the British Horse Industry Confederation, Graham Cory, said:
"We can rejoice that months of consultation and collaboration have resulted in a comprehensive and exciting Strategy, which encompasses the many varied parts of the horse industry.
"However, we now have to face the challenging task of delivering the 50 Action Points which are crucial to the Strategy's implementation. Every action needs a person or, more likely, people to take it forwards. There is not a rider or driver or worker in equestrianism who is absolved from all responsibility. If we all do our bit the Strategy will be a success."
The strategy proposes specific actions to help achieve the following initial broad objectives for accomplishing this aim:
1. to bring the Horse Industry together and develop its national, regional and local impact;
2. to increase participation in equestrianism and the social contribution of the Horse Industry;
3. to boost the economic performance of equine businesses;
4. to raise equestrian skills, training and standards;
5. to increase access to off-road riding and carriage driving;
6. to consider the environmental impact of the horse;
7. to encourage sporting excellence; and
8. to improve the quality and breeding of horses and ponies.
 
The Strategy will be supplemented by an Action Plan, due to be published in early 2006, which will set out who is responsible for taking things forward, the desired final outcome, the current position and the next steps. This will serve as the basis for monitoring progress in the future. It is intended that a progress report will be produced after one year and at suitable points thereafter.
BHIC players get ready for action
THE British Horse Industry Confederation (BHIC) has launched its strategy for the horse industry in England and Wales and plans to hold each of its members accountable for moving the industry forward.
"Drafting this document was one thing, but somebody has to do something," said Graham Cory, BHIC chairman and British Horse Society (BHS) chief executive.  If everybody waits for someone else, it will be a total waste of time, money and a squandering of opportunity."
BHIC incorporates every facet of the horse industry, including the Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS), the BHS, the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) and the British Horseracing Board (BHB).  Its strategy follows two years' consultation between members, DEFRA, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and the Welsh Assembly government.
At the launch, Jim Knight, minister for rural affairs and the horse, said: "This day marks a milestone in the strengthening partnership between the government and horse industry.  It is testimony to the major contribution the horse industry makes, both to our economy and to the lives of so many people."
BEF chief executive Andrew Finding said the strategy fitted with the federation's own strategic direction, adding:  "We hope that they will both go a long way towards helping the entire industry work together, for the greater good of all."   Cory said:  "lt's amazing this is happening. In this fractious industry, that all those people have got together over the past two years is quite something."
ABRS chairman Julian Marczak attributed ultimate success to an ability to "dismiss our differences, unite and support each other", while British Equine Trade Association chief executive Claire Williams stressed the enthusiasm that drove the strategy "now needs to be conveyed".
Extract source:  Horse & Hound Magazine 8 December 2005
 

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