Horse Licenses?

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WelshRareBit

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I have been thinking about this a lot, and while I feel its a good idea, I do think that there are some problems with it..

I am too young to remember dog licenses I dont know if you had to 'do' anything to get one (ie prove yourself capable of owning a dog) but I think not, I seem to have it in my head that you just bought one?

If this is so surely the licensing becomes about money and not about a level of care? I'll be honest and say Id begrudge paying out for a license, I dont have a great deal of money and what I have goes on my horses care - any money I have spare goes to buy myself the odd treat (like lunch at work and the odd magazine).

I dont understand really because the ammount of money you have doesnt govern the level of care you give, and lets be frank here, if there are people who are really skint and have horses - surely making them pay for something like a license might just take the money that should be going to the horse and not to the government??

Forgive me if Im missing a huge part of this and feel free to correct me!
 
NO idea about horse side, but over here for a dog license all you have to do is fill in form with dogs name, age, amrkings, owner & where it loves. Costs £5 you then get the wee disc with unique number. You apply for one every year.

I don't license my dog though
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I *think* that the purpose of dog licenses wasnt that people who had one must be a good owner, but that (i) it gave a list of who owned dogs so the authorities knew (like equine passports) and reduced the amount of unidentifiable dogs left to roam, and (ii) they cared enough about their ownership of the animal to pay, and therefore could probably also pay vets bills etc (essentially could afford the animal). The job done by those dog licenses is essentially performed by horse passports already now anyway.

I think introducing horse licenses requiring basic knowledge of horse care is probably a good idea, but would be ruined by the government and societies making it too expensive for the test / training--like driving licenses.
Also it would raise the slipery slope issue of also needing qualificiations to own a dog / cat / hamster and the entire thing would probably end up being ridiculous.
 
Dog licenses, if I remember rightly, used to cost the princely sum of 37 1/2 pence (that's 7/6d for the real oldies), and you got them from the post office, they really didn't mean anything.

In a country where animal legislation is so poor, and where people are rarely prohibited by the courts from keeping animals because it is so complicated to enforce, I can't see any sense at all in adding another tier.
 
I can remember when it cost seven shillings and sixpence, I remember when farthings existed too
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! Over here, all dogs have to be tattood or have a microchip then registered with the local health authorities.All horses have to be registered too! As for the horse license, it is a good idea but I cant see it working (sadly). M.
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I'd like to see a compulsory equine MOT come into place!
With this standards of dentistry, vets, saddle fitters etc being raised to get rid of the con-men and liars!!
 
i tink that is an absolutely ludicrous idea! Sorry.

As with cars, all it would prove is that the vehicle/horse was roadworthy/rideable on that particular day - just like a vetting.

How would it be enforced? There are still people out there that don't have passports for their horses.

What would be measured to prove a horse worthy of an MOT certificate?

and how would an MOT for horses raise the standards of dentists, vets, saddle fitters etc?
 
I dont think horse licenses will make any difference, they will just be another way for the government to make money unfortunately. Just like passports. My horse has one. Have I ever been asked to show it at a competition or whilst travelling? Nooo. Its a damn good thing I didnt pay for the passport myself or I would be hopping mad!

I agree withs Jacks Mum on the MOT thing. Say if your horse holds shoes for ages longer than most - should you be punished for not having them done in the normal 6-8 weeks routine? Im not sure if this is what you mean by MOT mind...
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In theory think horse licences could be a good idea, if the goal was to make sure that a potential horse owner was capable of looking after a horse. I know the majority of us are responsible owners, but lets face it there are still a HUGE number of welfare cases due to people who don't know how to care for a horse having one. I agree tho, how would it be enforced? And do expect it would just become another way of the government making extra money. As for who has what etc - the passports should tell them that.

Don't really understand what you mean by the horse MOT? Is that not kinda what a vetting is? Don't see the point of doing it yearly. Most of us know our animals well enough to spot if something is "not right" - surely then you get it checked?? Also re vets, dentists etc - it is illegal for someone who is not a vet to practice as a vet, the Association of Master Saddlers has lists of qualified saddlers and fitters who they guarantee the work for, and surely with dentists you check their qualifications before booking one??? If you are unsure your vet should be able advise you on that! Sorry if I am completely missing your point!!
 
The idea of people having a licence to prove they are capable of looking after a horse is one thing, but actually DOING IT is another thing. Most people who buy a horse don't set out to treat it cruelly or deny it the basic things in life, but end up going down the slippery slope when things don't go their way, either financially or from a handling/riding point of view.

I think still the greatest threat to these sort of people is other people. This is a relatively small country with a huge population, both horsey and non, so I don't think many people really get away with this sort of thing unnoticed, it's just that people don't report them.
 
LauraAnne, i completely agree!!! horse licenses are a really good idea... if you actually are checked up on a regular basis... to stop the horse cruelty, and have to take an "exam" to get a license.
but knowing our government, it is another way for us to give them more money, and will make no change in the horse cruelty system. and a form filled in will mean you are able to look after a horse... i think thats wrong. esp with already having the passports.
perhaps after this the government will create an ID card horses must carry themelsves at all times? or a travelling license to show they are capable of standing on a lorry? or maybe even horsey seatbelts... they wont stop with all these laws!!!
sam xxx
 
I totally agree that its just a way for the government to get their fat fingers on more of our money.

I would be totally happy to get a yearly visit from the government etc to check that my horses are well cared for.

Im a yard manager where my horses are stabled, im so shocked by the number of people who just come up to ride their horse, who dont want to clean them out etc.

Since i got my horses, i have always made time to make sure I did my own horses. Its different if someone is working full time etc and cant do it, but im talking about ones who dont.

I would be appalled if someone had to do my horses for me, before i took over this job, i refused to let the last YM do my horses for me.

IMHO if your going to get a horse just to ride it, then your better off going to a riding stables!!

Lol rant over
 
Well, maybe I am in the 'target' brigade. I have owned horses for over 40 years and now only have one riding horse who is kept at livery. I do often only ride and not muck out/turn out. I tack clean and groom when I'm around but I like it this way because it suits my lifestyle and most importantly I know that my horse is very well cared for and receives everything he needs and more. As to riding at a riding school, I think it would cost an awful lot more to ride 4 or 5 times a week + attend the odd show at a decent place.... How much is it now, about £25 an hour?
 
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