Life

Horse charity launches equine ethical stamp

24.06.2010
Ireland’s horse charity, the Irish Horse Welfare Trust (IHWT), has launched the first-ever equine ethical stamp, Welfare Aware, aimed at Ireland’s racing, equestrian and corporate communities.

The ethical stamp aims to raise much-needed funds for the IHWT rescue, and re-training and re-homing programmes.

The IHWT says it has introduced the stamp due to the equine welfare crisis which has hit Ireland.

“We have a world-class equine industry in Ireland but we are in the worst welfare crisis in the history of the state. IHWT’s work and campaigning focuses on equine welfare but also Ireland has a crucial role in continuing to preserve its world-class equine reputation,” said Sharon Newsome, co-founder of IHWT. “We can only do this with the continuous support of all those working, training, selling, manufacturing in the racing and equestrian sectors.”

The membership is a voluntary scheme, with several benefits to supporting members. The participants in the Welfare Aware Scheme will be included in an Open Welfare Register on the IHWT revamped website www.ihwt.ie. Each stamp will have its own individual licence number to preserve the integrity of its use and to ensure that this ethical label is not abused. Supporters will also receive a pack containing a certificate and window sticker.

“As island of the horse, all of us who work in the industry realise and accept that problems do occur, such as welfare cases, and there is a need for the range of work the IHWT provides. The Welfare Aware ethical logo allows member to display the fact that they are participating and working with the charity, which is valuable both as part of their corporate social responsibility and as a marketing tool. It also allows for the industry to give back in an affordable manner,” Newsome added.

Horse Sport Ireland, Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), Weatherbys Ireland, Horseware Ireland and Botanica are among the first of many to sign up for the Welfare Aware Initiative.

The IHWT Welfare Aware stamp costs €250 per annum for trade and corporate membership or €21 euro per month. For more information, visit www.ihwt.ie

Pictured: members of the Garda Mounted unit along with members of the Army Equitation School, Top Dressage Rider Heike Hostein and Joe Walsh, Chairman of Horse Sport Ireland at the launch of the Irish Horse Welfare Trust's Welfare Aware Stamp