SEI

Sustainable
Equestrian
Initiative

SEI — Sustainable Equestrian Initiative

The sustainability certification programme created for the equestrian world.

An evidence-based standard for stables, riding schools, breeders, events, tourism, therapy and care, transport and suppliers — with horse wellbeing at its centre, and certification decided by an independent Certification Body.

Find your SEI Module → How certification works Read the introduction ↓

People · Horses · Planet Responsible equestrianism. Proven for the future.

Connecting responsible equestrians to protect horses and safeguard the future of equestrianism.

01 — What SEI is

A sustainability standard built for equestrian operations — not adapted to them.

SEI is an independent certification standard developed specifically for equestrian organisations. It sets out what responsible practice means in a stable, a stud, an event, a transport operation or a therapy centre, and it asks you to demonstrate it — with documented evidence, measured performance and independent assessment.

Evidence, not claims

Every requirement is demonstrated through objective evidence: policies, records, measured performance and documented controls. Nothing rests on a statement of intent.

Built around the horse

Horse wellbeing is not an annex to the environmental chapters. It runs through every module, and it takes precedence where responsibilities conflict.

Independently verified

SEI develops and maintains the Standard. An independent Certification Body assesses the evidence and decides on certification.

SEI Standard — Introduction

The introduction to the SEI Standard: purpose, structure, how the Core Mandatory Layer and the Activity Modules combine, and how conformity is demonstrated.

Download the introduction ↓

02 — Who it is for

The whole equestrian world, not only sport.

If horses are part of what your organisation does, SEI applies to you — whatever your discipline, size or country.

Stables & equestrian centresRiding schoolsTraining & coaching Breeding & stud operationsTherapy & equine-assisted careLeisure & equestrian tourism Events & competitionsHorse transport & logisticsProducts & service suppliers

You are assessed only against the activities you actually carry out. A riding school is not assessed against breeding requirements. A stud is not asked questions designed for a competition organiser.

03 — What it assesses

Horse wellbeing at the centre. Responsibility around it.

At the centre

Horse wellbeing

Accommodation, feed and water, movement and rest, health and veterinary care, humane handling and training, workload and recovery, transport, biosecurity, end-of-life responsibility — and the authority to stop an activity when a horse's wellbeing requires it.

Environmental responsibility

Energy and greenhouse gas emissions, water and wastewater, manure and bedding, waste, harmful substances, land, soil and biodiversity.

Social & cultural responsibility

Competence and education, people safety, safeguarding, accessibility, workforce and volunteer wellbeing, communities and equestrian heritage.

Economic resilience

Resource productivity, responsible procurement, business continuity and the long-term viability of the organisation.

04 — Modularity

You select what you do.
SEI applies what is relevant.

You are assessed only against the activities you actually carry out. A riding school is not assessed against breeding requirements. A stud is not assessed against event requirements. A competition organiser is not asked questions designed for a therapy centre or product supplier.

This makes certification focused, proportionate and straightforward — without overwhelming organisations with requirements that have nothing to do with their activities.

The SEI Standard combines a common Core Mandatory Layer with the Activity Modules that match your organisation.

Start your certification journey

Register your organisation and the SEI Team will confirm your activities, identify the applicable Activity Modules and explain the next steps. Responsible equestrianism. Proven for the future.

SEI

SEI — Sustainable Equestrian Initiative. An evidence-based sustainability certification standard created for the equestrian world, with horse wellbeing at its centre. Established 2023, The Netherlands.

SEI | Sustainable Equestrian Initiative
Address: Nicolaes Maestraat 2, Office 213
1506 LB Zaandam, The Netherlands
Telephone: 0031-(0)85-301 0650
Dutch Chamber of Commerce: 67691951
EU VAT (VIES): NL857133147B01

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