The South Korean government has announced a five-year plan (2025–2029) aimed at improving animal welfare and oversight in the horse industry.
- The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will establish a new horse welfare monitoring center.
- The Korea Racing Authority (KRA) will host the center.
- The center will receive abuse reports, offer rescue and rehabilitation services, and conduct inspections of horse-keeping facilities.
According to government officials, the move comes in response to reports of mistreatment and neglect, which have garnered public concern.
- The Horse Protection Monitoring Center will operate from April 2026, with its primary objectives being the prevention of animal abuse and the establishment of effective rehabilitation services.
- Whistleblowers who report abuse will receive monetary rewards to encourage the reporting of mistreatment and neglect.
- Reports will be received from the public, and any necessary actions will be taken to ensure the welfare of the horses.
The current voluntary reporting system is set to be replaced by a mandatory registration system, which is intended to increase government oversight across the entire life cycle of horses.
| Horse Welfare Monitoring Center | Horse Protection Monitoring Center |
| Receive reports | Receive reports and conduct on-site inspections |
| Rescue and rehabilitation services | Offer rescue and rehabilitation services |
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the new registration system will allow for better tracking of horse health, reduce the number of abandoned horses, and help horse breeders identify areas for improvement. A new welfare certification program will also be introduced to encourage high welfare standards in stables and riding schools.
- A horse welfare certification will be awarded to stables and riding schools that meet strict welfare criteria.
- Facilities with a high welfare certification will receive preferential treatment in government support programs.
- Those that fail to meet welfare standards will be subject to consultations and mandatory improvements.
To support the welfare of retired racehorses, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will establish special programs.
| Retirement programs | Rehabilitation assistance for injured horses |
Retired racehorses will receive support in transitioning to riding horses, while injured horses will receive rehabilitation assistance.
“We are committed to improving the welfare of horses in South Korea and want to ensure that this is done through a collaborative effort involving government agencies, the KRA, and the horse industry,” said a government official. “This includes providing resources and support for welfare-related services, as well as education and training for trainers, rehabilitation instructors, and other equine industry professionals.”
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
Improvement in Animal Welfare and Oversight
The new system aims to enhance animal welfare by providing greater oversight across the entire life cycle of horses. A well-regulated system can prevent mistreatment and neglect, and improve the overall welfare of horses.
The new welfare certification program will be available to stables and riding schools, providing an incentive for them to prioritize the welfare of horses.
| Welfare criteria | Facilities with a high welfare certification will receive preferential treatment in government support programs. |
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will also integrate welfare metrics into its annual horse industry survey, which will provide valuable data on the welfare of horses.
| Standardized care manuals | Welfare metrics will be integrated into the survey results. |
- The Ministry will distribute standardized care manuals tailored to the age and condition of horses.
- Retired racehorses will receive support in transitioning to riding horses.
- Retired horses will receive access to care and rehabilitation services.
In addition to the above measures, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will establish a public-private advisory council to ensure inclusive policymaking.
| Government agencies | Horse industry workers | Animal rights organizations |
Welfare certification:
Facilities that demonstrate a commitment to providing the highest level of care for horses are eligible for a welfare certification.
Public-private advisory council:
A council comprising representatives from government agencies, the KRA, horse industry workers, and animal rights organizations, whose purpose is to ensure inclusive policymaking.
Inclusive policymaking:
A process that involves the participation of multiple stakeholders, including government agencies, the KRA, horse industry workers, and animal rights organizations, in order to develop policies that address the concerns of all parties involved.
Equine industry:
An industry that involves the breeding, training, and racing of horses, as well as the care and management of horses for riding, companionship, and other purposes.
Government support programs:
A set of programs and services that provide financial or material support to horse owners and breeders, in order to promote the welfare of horses.
Mandatory welfare standards:
Standards that are enforced by the government to ensure the highest level of care for horses.
Incentives:
A reward or benefit given to individuals or organizations that achieve a certain standard or meet specific requirements.
Collaborative effort:
A cooperative approach to achieving a common goal, where multiple stakeholders work together to achieve a shared objective.
Collaboration and Incentives
To foster a collaborative effort and incentivize high welfare standards, the government has introduced a number of measures.
- A new welfare certification program will be implemented, which will award facilities that meet strict welfare criteria.
- The Korea Racing Authority (KRA) will host the Horse Protection Monitoring Center.
- Whistleblowers will receive monetary rewards for reporting abuse.
| Facilities that receive a welfare certification will be subject to regular inspections. |
- The Korea Racing Authority (KRA) will conduct regular inspections to ensure that facilities that receive a welfare certification meet the required standards.
- Facilities that fail to meet the standards will be subject to consultations and mandatory improvements.
The new welfare certification program is designed to encourage high welfare standards, while those that fail to meet welfare standards will be subject to consultations and improvement.
Integration and Training
To integrate welfare metrics into its annual horse industry survey, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has implemented a number of measures.
| Standardized care manuals | Welfare metrics will be integrated into the survey results. |
- The Ministry will distribute standardized care manuals tailored to the age and condition of horses.
- Retired racehorses will receive support in transitioning to riding horses.
- Retired horses will receive access to care and rehabilitation services.
Welfare metrics:
Standardized data collected to measure the welfare of horses, which will help to identify areas for improvement and inform policy decisions.
Standardized care manuals:
Care manuals that provide clear guidelines for the care and management of horses, based on scientific evidence and expert recommendations.
Education and training:
A program of education and training that aims to improve the knowledge and skills of horse owners, breeders, and professionals in the horse industry, with a focus on welfare and care.
Rehabilitation assistance:
A program that provides care and rehabilitation services to injured horses, with the goal of improving their welfare and helping them recover from their injuries.
Partnership and collaboration:
A cooperative approach to achieving a common goal, where multiple stakeholders work together to achieve a shared objective.
Holistic approach:
A comprehensive approach that takes into account the physical, emotional, and social needs of horses, with the goal of improving their welfare.
Industry-wide standards:
A set of standards that apply to the entire horse industry, rather than just individual stables or riding schools.
Diplomacy:
A formal relationship between two or more countries or organizations, which can be used to promote cooperation and coordination on welfare and other issues.
Equity and inclusivity:
A commitment to ensuring that the benefits and costs of policies are shared fairly among all stakeholders, including horse owners, breeders, and professionals in the horse industry.
Retail Horse Sales and the Welfare of Horses
The new horse welfare monitoring system also includes measures to improve the welfare of horses sold in retail horse sales.
- The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will provide guidelines for trainers to help horses transition to riding horses.
- The welfare of injured horses will be supported through rehabilitation programs.
| Injury treatment | Rehabilitation assistance |
- The Ministry will provide support for injured horses to help them recover from their injuries and improve their welfare.
- Guidelines will be provided to help trainers manage the welfare of horses during the transition to riding horses.
Holistic horse care:
A comprehensive approach to the care and management of horses, which takes into account their physical, emotional, and social needs.
Industry-wide standards:
A set of standards that apply to the entire horse industry, rather than just individual stables or riding schools.
Partnership and collaboration:
A cooperative approach to achieving a common goal, where multiple stakeholders work together to achieve a shared objective.
Awareness and Education
The new horse welfare monitoring system includes measures to increase awareness and education about horse welfare. Horse welfare is a critical issue that affects many people, and public awareness and education are essential to promote positive change.
| Public education | Industry education |
- The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will promote public education campaigns to raise awareness about horse welfare.
- The industry will be educated on the importance of horse welfare and the measures being implemented to improve it.
Public education:
A program of education and awareness-raising activities that are targeted at the general public, with the goal of promoting a positive understanding of horse welfare.
Industry education:
A program of education and awareness-raising activities that are targeted at professionals in the horse industry, with the goal of promoting a positive understanding of horse welfare.
Mission and Vision
The mission and vision of the horse welfare monitoring system are to promote the welfare of horses and improve their quality of life. A well-regulated system can prevent mistreatment and neglect, and improve the overall welfare of horses.
| Mission statement | Vision statement |
- The mission is to improve the welfare of horses and prevent animal abuse.
- The vision is to create a safe and humane society for horses, where their welfare is prioritized.
Mission statement:
A statement that defines the purpose and goals of an organization or system, and outlines its objectives and strategies.
Vision statement:
A statement that defines the desired future state of an organization or system, and outlines its long-term goals and aspirations.
