If you have spent even a small amount of time in the horse industry, you will be aware that there are multiple different governing bodies. Many of these work together, but many of them are also independent. The complexity of governance within the equine industry is reflective of its long history, but also the diversity that exists within horse sport.
Something to consider whether you are embarking on your equestrian professional journey or looking to upskill is whether you need to adhere to the regulation of a governing body, or be a member of a governing body, in order to be a professional in your specialist field. Many insurers for example look for you to be a member of a governing body before they insure you to practise, because governing bodies check your qualifications before joining.
What professional bodies exist in the equine industry?
The largest governing body within the equine industry is the British Equestrian Federation. British Equestrian is the umbrella body which encapsulates many of the other member bodies which make up the UK’s leading equestrian industry. There are nineteen independent member bodies, each of which is an organisation in its own right. Many of these are associated with specific equestrian disciplines, but there are also others which are linked to other aspects of the sport.
These are:
- Association of British Riding Schools – Britain’s longest established Riding School approval scheme.
- British Carriage Driving – aims to increase the quality and quantity of driving trials UK wide.
- British Dressage – organises affiliated dressage competitions across the UK and also supports the running of unaffiliated competition.
- British Equestrian Trade Association – the accepted representative body of equestrian manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade
- British Equestrian Vaulting – supports the affiliated discipline of equestrian vaulting.
- British Eventing – the national governing body for eventing in the UK, regulating and running affiliated events on a National level.
- British Grooms Association – the professional association for people who work with horses, supporting members through their careers as grooms.
- British Horseball Association – the association which coordinates horseball throughout the UK.
- British Reining – the UK governing body for the sport of reining.
- British Showjumping – the national governing body for showjumping in the UK.
- Endurance GB – the national governing body for the sport of endurance riding.
- Mounted Games Associated of Great Britain – coordinates the sport of mounted games in the UK.
- Riding for the Disabled Association – a charity which supports access to ridden and non ridden opportunities for disabled adults and children across the UK.
- The British Horse Society – the biggest and most influential horse welfare charity in the UK.
- The Pony Club – an international voluntary youth organisation for young people interested in ponies and riding.
- The Showing Council – represents an amalgamation of key showing bodies.
- UK Polocrosse Association – governing body of polocrosse in the UK
- World Horse Welfare – an international charity grounded in pragmatism and compassion that aims to improve the horse-human partnership on all levels.
- Horse Scotland – supporting equestrians in Scotland
However, these are not all of the key governing bodies which are crucial to the function of the whole equine industry. There are a number of professional organisations which are specifically related to different horse care and welfare issues. Examples of these are:
- Worshipful Company of Farriers – oversees the training and development of farriers in the UK, and is one of the City of London Livery Companies.
- Farrier’s Registration Council – the organisational body which maintains a list of individuals allowed to legally conduct farriery.
- British Equine Veterinary Association – support equine veterinary professionals by providing resources, connections and inspiration.
- British Association of Equine Dental Technicians – promotes and supports the training of equine dental technicians.
- RAMP Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners – a voluntary register of physiotherapists, chiropractors and osteopaths
- International Association of Animal Therapies – a collective organisation of animal therapists for all animals: it includes equine bodyworkers, equine nutritionists, reiki and essential any other complementary therapy
- ACPAT Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy – as ‘veterinary physiotherapist’ is not a protected title, ACPAT is the organisation which works from within the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
- Society of Master Saddlers – a register and training provider for saddle making, fitting and selling.
The purpose of these organisations is essentially to provide registers available to the public where anyone can check the credentials of the professional working with their animal. They play an essential role in upkeeping high standards of professionalism and education amongst their members. Professional membership bodies such as these are responsible for ensuring their members stay up to date with CPD and insurance so that owners can have peace of mind their professionals are operating in legal and ethical ways.
There are many others which also exist, but these are the largest and most common that you will come across.
Which professional bodies do I need to be a member of?
The answer to this question is largely determined by your profession, but also to an extent your personal preference. For example, all farriers must be registered with the FRC and will have trained under the Worshipful Company. However, an equine veterinary physiotherapist could be a member of IAAT and RAMP, and if they are also a qualified human physiotherapist and therefore a membered of the Chartered Society, could also be a member of ACPAT.
There is no hard and fast rule which states you must be a member of every organisation that you are eligible to be a member of. Every organisation has its own membership fees and so you should weigh up the cost and reward of being a member. Benefits of membership vary but will generally include access to professional support and advice, CPD and training opportunities, and having your name on an online register so that potential clients can find you and check your qualifications. The more of these you are on, the more potential business you would in theory attract.
Are you a representative of a professional body and you want to collaborate with EQUK, or add information to this page? We want to hear from you!