“FOR the first time under TAMS, equine breeders will have the opportunity to invest in important infrastructure for their farms including housing, training facilities, and fencing. This will help make the breeding and handling of horses safer for farmers and the animals. It will be a real game-changer for small breeders who are at the heart of the sector,” thus stated Minister of State with special responsibility for farm safety Martin Heydon, on Monday.

This week’s announcement brought plenty of good news for the equine industry across all sectors, but before we get stuck into the nuts and bolts of what’s on offer, it’s important to remember how these equine inclusions came about, and also how vital they are for the future of the industry.