DEFRA have published a further update to the statutory guidance on hiring horses - updated optional higher standard for diet from weekly to monthly body condition scoring.

The update, which was published on 16 February, is shown below:

Optional higher standards for diet (REVISED – 16 FEB 2022)

Records must show individual health plans and monitoring of the dietary needs of horses. Monthly body condition scoring must be recorded - if is not optimum, advice must be sought from a vet or expert equine nutritionist. This advice must be documented.

There must be a legible and up to date feed chart on display. It must show the correct feeding amounts for individual horses.

Optional higher standards for diet (ORIGINAL – 1 FEB 2022)

Independent specialist nutritional advice must be sought when appropriate for individual horses and documented alongside their weekly body condition scoring. Records must show the individual health plans and monitoring for horses in connection with their dietary requirements.

There must be legible and up-to-date feed chart on display that informs people of the correct feeding amounts for individual horses.

Source: gov.uk