16 October 2015
New rules have been approved which will mean more protection for horses in Jersey.
The States Assembly recently approved changes to the Veterinary Surgeons (Jersey) Law 1999 which set out who can and can’t provide certain dental treatments to horses.
To protect animal welfare and animal owners, only qualified equine dental technicians will be able to carry out certain treatments.
It’s widely recognised that horses benefit from dental care. New advice and guidance from UK and European veterinary dental organisations recommends a clear distinction between procedures that can be carried out by non-professional technicians and those that must be done by suitably trained and accredited equine dental technicians.
All accredited professionals must be members of the British Association of Equine Dental Technicians.
States Vet Linda Lowseck said that when it comes into force next year, the change to the law will provide more safeguards for horses while enabling suitably trained and qualified individuals to practise in Jersey.