I.
Welfare Practice
Daily routines, turnout, pasture rotation and herd dynamics calibrated to the older horse.
Established for the senior horse
The Green Ribbon
for yards that put
welfare first in retirement.
A national accreditation for retirement yards — assessing welfare practice, knowledge of geriatric care, medication handling and the quiet expertise that older horses deserve.
- 142
- Accredited yards
- 1,800+
- Horses in care
- 27
- Counties served
The four pillars
What the Ribbon stands for.
II.
Geriatric Knowledge
Recognising arthritis, dental decline, Cushing's, EMS, weight loss and the quiet signals of pain.
III.
Medication & Best Practice
Safe storage, dispensing, record-keeping and veterinary liaison to professional standard.
IV.
Experience & Continuity
Staff tenure, owner communication, end-of-life planning and the dignity of the final years.
Two ribbons, one path
Growth, not a gate. Every yard begins somewhere.
The scheme supports yards as they develop. Most accredit at the Yellow Ribbon first — a working tier with structured mentoring — then progress to the Green Ribbon as standards, records and continuing education mature.
Tier I
Yellow Ribbon
A working accreditation for yards committed to the journey. Standards are met in welfare and intent; documentation, training and systems are still being built.
- ◆Welfare baseline & vet partnership verified
- ◆Quarterly meeting with a retirement specialist and business mentor
- ◆Structured development plan toward Green
- ◆Listed on the public register as 'In development'
Typical progression · 12–24 months
Tier II
Green Ribbon
The full mark of excellence. Independently assessed across all four pillars, awarded for a renewable three-year term with unannounced re-assessment.
- ◆Independent on-site assessment by vets & welfare advisors
- ◆Full criteria met across welfare, geriatric, medication, experience
- ◆Listed prominently on the public register
- ◆Eligible to mentor Yellow Ribbon yards
Three-year term · unannounced re-assessment
Continuing education
Short courses, deep care.
Bite-sized, expert-led modules — most completed in a single afternoon — to keep yards and grooms current on geriatric equine welfare.
"
When we entrusted Bramble to a Green Ribbon yard, we slept easier than we had in fifteen years of ownership. Every detail — from her arthritis routine to her favourite paddock companion — was attended to without prompting.
Henrietta Ashcombe — Owner, retired eventer
Does your yard deserve the Green Ribbon?
Applications open year-round. Initial assessment fee is waived for yards already enrolled in our short-course programme.