Horses are kept for a variety of purposes, such as sport, racing, pleasure, tourism, breeding, therapy,
and meat production. The regulatory provisions on the keeping and care of horses differ between
Member States. Only a few have adopted specific legislation on the protection of horses. This guide is addressed to every individual, both professional and non-professional, who owns one or more horses, has horses in their possession or in any other way is engaged in the keeping, care, training and use of horses.