The Slaughter of Animals (Humane Conditions) Regulations 1990

Additional provisions for horses

29.—(1) The occupier of a lairage in which any horses are confined shall ensure that—

(a) the lairage—

(i) is divided into pens or stalls by means of permanently fixed partitions, and

(ii) contains at least one loose box,

which pens or stalls and loose box are constructed so as to minimise the danger of any horse injuring itself or any other animal confined in the lairage;

(b) horses confined there are not caused any injury or unnecessary distress by reason of—

(i) being kept in a loose-box which is overcrowded,

(ii) being kept in a loose-box with other horses of a different size or age, or

(iii) any other cause; and

(c) a horse of one of the following descriptions is kept in a separate pen, stall or loose-box from any other horse in the lairage, that is to say—

(i) a stallion,

(ii) a cryptorchid,

(iii) a heavily pregnant female,

(iv) a female with a foal at foot,

(v) a horse whose hind feet are shod.

(2) The occupier of a slaughterhouse or knacker’s yard in which any horses are slaughtered shall ensure that a separate room or bay is provided there for use for the slaughter of horses.