The Horse Farm Improvement Program (HFIP) works with equine farms to identify farm strengths and opportunities for improvement. The ultimate goal of the program is three fold:
- enhancing equine welfare
- improving horse farm viability
- increasing the sustainability of the equine sector
Program evaluation areas
HFIP evaluates enrolled farms in nine evaluation areas:
- Horse Health
- Biosecurity
- Facilities
- Nutrition
- Human Safety
- Pasture Management
- Manure Management
- Environmental Sustainability
- Business Management
We’ll ask some core questions in each area. We'll also offer additional evaluation and resources in any areas of particular interest to you.
Enrolling in the program
Farms enrolled in HFIP participate in three stages.
We ask that you fill out a pre-visit questionnaire, which gathers information to help us prepare for the on-farm visit. The questionnaire asks about some demographic, farm-level information, as well as information in each of the nine HFIP evaluation areas.
Once you fill out the pre-visit questionnaire, we’ll set up a time with you to come visit your farm. While there, we’ll ask you to show us around and to answer some additional questions. We’ll also take some measurements and go over records with you.
We’ll use the information we’ve gathered from the pre-visit questionnaire and the on-farm visit to develop a tailored Farm Improvement Program. In it, we’ll go over the strengths and opportunities on your farm. We’ll provide information and resources related to any recommendations we make. We can also schedule further follow-up meetings or subsequent on-farm visits to support you as you progress.
Questions about HFIP?
Would you like to know more about the program? Are you interested in enrolling in HFIP as a pilot farm?
