Melbourne Horse Carriage Operators Adopt New Code Of Practice

After a series of community concerns were raised regarding the treatment and workloads of working horses in Melbourne, and a lengthy campaign by the RSPCA, the Victorian Horse Drawn Carriage Association has voluntarily adopted a new code of practice.

For the last two years the RSPCA has encouraged the public to voice their concerns about the management and working practices surrounding the Horse Drawn Carriage Industry operating in the Melbourne CBD. Concerns have included horses working with apparent injuries, inadequate shoeing, working long hours, in excessive heat and with no rest periods out of the hot sun. In conjunction with the RSPCA, Victorian Horse Council, Melbourne City Council, DPI and Victorian Mounted Police the VHDCA has developed a new code of practice to be carried out by Carriage operators in Melbourne (and Victoria). Previously the Melbourne City Council Permit for Carriage operators only required manure bags to be fitted to all horses; appropriate insurance for all carriages and drivers; written permission for Bourke Street Mall access; and assurance that the area of trading does not unduly compromise the amenity of the surrounding area. The new code of practice however goes much farther towards the health and welfare of horses and the responsibilities of the operators themselves. {sidebar id=3}Included in the new code of practice (amongst other requirements): • Vehicles must display a current horse drawn vehicle number plate
• Operators shall ensure that a driver in charge of their carriage holds a current certificate of accreditation issued by the VHDCA.
• Operators shall ensure that all horses associated with a Horse-Drawn Vehicle Permit issued by the Melbourne City Council are implanted with a permanent identification device as prescribed under the Domestic, Feral and Nuisance Animals Regulations 2005 (microchip).
• Drivers shall be responsible for the proper and humane care and treatment of the horses under his or her direct supervision and control.
• Each driver shall be over 18 years of age.
• New drivers shall be trained and serve as an apprentice to a proficient qualified Driver
• New drivers shall remain under training for sufficient time to enable them to become proficient in the tasks of grooming, cleaning the harness and padding, fitting the bridle bit and harness to the horse, hitching the horse to the carriage and driving the carriage upon city streets in a safe and humane manner.
• Operators shall supply Council with documentation showing that a particular veterinary practice is willing and in a position to supply emergency veterinary treatment to the horses under his control when requested to do so.
• Horses should be over 4yo and exceed 14.2hh
• Operators and drivers shall ensure that their horses are not in work more than 12 hours in any 24 -hour period or more than 38 hours in any 7 day period and shall allow a twenty-minute rest period in the standing position after two hours continuous work.
• Working horses shall be appropriately shod on all four (4) feet and not have any loose shoes.
• When temperatures exceed thirty (30) degrees Celsius with no cloud cover, horses shall be provided with adequate shade during rest periods.
• No horse shall work in temperatures exceeding thirty-seven (37) degrees Celsius. For the full list of changes to the Code Of Practice (to be implemented on 1st July 2009) see Horse Drawn Carriage Code Of Practice.