The Global Equine Health & Nutrition Association (GEHNA) is an international collaborative initiative that brings together industry partners, academic institutions, and research organizations with the aim of supporting harmonization and knowledge exchange in equine health and nutrition.
Mission and Objectives
GEHNA’s mission is to promote global alignment and cooperation in equine health and nutrition by facilitating dialogue, collaboration, and shared initiatives between industry and academia. The association aims to support evidence-based practices and contribute to improved horse welfare, health, and performance worldwide.
Background and Rationale
The equine sector operates within a highly diverse global landscape, with significant regional differences in research infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and access to scientific knowledge. While equine nutrition and health play a critical role in horse welfare and performance, knowledge and practices remain fragmented across regions.
Structure and Governance
GEHNA operates as a working group under the European Equine Health & Nutrition Association (EEHNA) vzw. Since its first General Assembly on September 30, 2026, GEHNA works with its own General Assembly, Board of Directors and bylaws. If sufficient support is demonstrated by its members, the initiative is intended to evolve into an independent organization with its own legal identity.
The European Equine Health & Nutrition Association (EEHNA) is a non-profit organization (“VZW“) based in Belgium. It organizes the European Equine Health & Nutrition Congress (EEHNC), a biennial event that alternates between Belgium and the Netherlands. The EEHNC is held in cooperation with academic partners, including Ghent University, the University of Liege, Utrecht University, and Wageningen University.
Governance and participation within GEHNA are guided by its membership structure. Industry Members and Affiliative Members contribute to GEHNA’s activities according to their respective roles, with governance participation allocated in line with applicable membership agreements. Voting rights are held by Industry Members according to their membership tier, as laid down in the GEHNA bylaws adopted by the General Assembly on September 30, 2026, at which the first Board of Directors was also elected.
Membership and Participation
GEHNA offers different membership pathways to support broad participation across the equine health and nutrition community.
- Industry Membership is open to companies active in equine nutrition, health, and related services that wish to contribute to GEHNA’s objectives through annual membership and participation in collaborative initiatives.
- Affiliative Membership is intended for universities, research institutes, and academic organizations. Retired or emeritus researchers and educators may also join in a personal capacity. Affiliative Membership is offered free of charge and focuses on contribution of knowledge, expertise, and research capacity.
- Legacy Membership is an individual, non-voting membership for professionals who have retired, or are retiring, from a career in the equine industry.
Activities and Collaboration
GEHNA supports collaboration through a combination of in-person meetings and online activities. In-person meetings may be organized alongside major international equine events, while Expert Group and Panel activities and project updates are primarily conducted online to ensure broad international participation.
Through its activities, GEHNA aims to facilitate meaningful interaction between stakeholders and contribute to long-term improvements in equine health and nutrition practices.
More information
More information about the GEHNA organisation can be found in the document below.
Contact
For further information about GEHNA, membership opportunities, or ongoing initiatives, please contact:gehna@equine-congress.com