§ Lord Rowallanasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether leaving stabled horses unsupervised overnight complies with animal safety laws. [HL4638]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonI am not aware of any statutory requirement that horses stabled overnight should be supervised.
It is, however, an offence to cause any domestic or captive animal unnecessary suffering: to abandon any animal—whether permanently or not—in circumstances likely to cause it suffering: and to tether a horse in such manner or conditions as to cause it unnecessary suffering.
177WAConditions attached to licences issued by local authorities for riding establishments relate to equine welfare and safely, and could include, so far as necessary, a requirement that horses are visited at suitable intervals.