For thousands of years humans have relied on horses as a means of transport, as a source of recreation and as stalwarts in battle.

The Australian Equine Welfare Association recognises the important role the horse plays in our lives. The AEWA was established to protect all equines (horses, ponies, donkeys and mules) from neglect and abuse through a program of lobbying our government for appropriate changes in legislation, education of the public and advocacy for all horses.

The AEWA is an incorporated not-for-profit organisation founded in August 2005 by a group of Tasmanian horse lovers in order to make a difference to equines through education, advocacy and law change. The AEWA has succeeded in its first major project to produce a Tasmanian Equine Code of Practice, and this was completed in June 2007.

Now the AEWA will go on to begin working with the RSPCA to provide equine related training to staff members, as well as endeavoring to improve equine case outcomes. The AEWA will also begin to look at ways in which it can start to practically help horse owners in need of education and support; as well as horses in need of immediate care.