Compliance with transit legislation

Transport of donkeys to and from the venue must be carried out in compliance with The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997.

Fitness of donkeys

No unfit donkey must be allowed to take part in any race or be ridden as a side attraction. 'Unfit' is defined as poor condition, ill, lame, injured or lactating mares. Failure to comply with this section could be a contravention of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1911 (1912 in Scotland).

The final arbiter of 'fit or unfit' will be a qualified veterinary surgeon.

Entire male donkeys

No entire male donkey may be used for racing or riding in side attractions.

Minimum age

Donkeys used for races or riding as side attractions must be over 4 years of age.

In-foal donkeys

No in-foal donkeys may be used for racing or riding as a side attraction. Failure to comply with this could lead to a prosecution.

Provision of substitute donkeys

Each operator should provide an adequate number of extra donkeys over and above the number calculated to take part in the races as substitutes for any donkeys that become ill or injured.

Provision of drinking water

Each operator must ensure that adequate drinking containers are taken to the venue and that clean, fresh drinking water is made available to the donkeys.

Provision of fodder

Should donkeys be away from their base stables for more than 5 hours, they must receive an adequate supply of fodder.

Riding tack

All tack should be in proper repair and so constructed to fit the donkey correctly. The use of saddles and/or stirrups should be discouraged.

Donkey carts

Novelty races for adults must only take place in properly and safely fitted out donkey carts so designed and constructed to prevent injury to donkey and passenger or driver.

Safety hats

it is recommended that riders use their own safety hats but, in cases where they are not available, the operator should have an adequate supply which must be in good condition (preferably have the approved safety kite symbol) and correctly fitted with chain straps.

No rider should be permitted to ride without a hat.

Rest period between races

All donkeys should have a minimum of 15 minutes rest between races and no donkey should be worked continuously for racing and side attraction riding.

Foals

If young foals are provided as a side attraction they must be supplied with a separate pen away from the main holding paddock. Foals under 2-6 months must be accompanied by their dams in the pen and must be transported to and from the venue, separated by a partition from the other animals, other that their dams, in accordance with The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997.

Code of practice

Please provide the organiser with a copy of this code of practice when a booking is made.