Tamil Nadu approves strict guidelines for equine registration and welfare

The Tamil Nadu government has approved comprehensive guidelines to regulate joyride and working horses, following a recent Madras High Court directive.

Data from the Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board (TNAWB) showed that only 51 out of 122 horses that were microchipped in 2023 are alive today. The remaining 71 were reported either dead or sold elsewhere. Further, the TNAWB data obtained from Besant Memorial Animal Dispensary (BMAD) indicated that 14 out of 21 horses that were treated there are dying due to “owner negligence”.

Under the government order (G.O), all owners of horses, donkeys, mules, and ponies must get a license from local municipal authorities and register with the TNAWB. Registration requires a mandatory screening test and a fitness certificate from a registered veterinary practitioner.

Owners must maintain records for vaccinations against tetanus, rabies, and equine influenza, with updates provided quarterly.

The regulations prohibit the animals from working between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. during the summer months and restrict continuous labour to five hours. Stables must meet a minimum size of 12×12 feet with proper ventilation and drainage. The use of spiked bits, sticks, or sharp equipment is strictly banned.

Licenses of owners with a history of FIRs related to animal cruelty or those who fail to provide immediate medical attention will be revoked. Negligent owners may face seizure of the animal and its rehabilitation through government employment schemes.