The horseracing industry is ignoring what science says about whipping
When the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) released its recent whip consultation report, it claimed to have consulted the science. But it insists whipping doesn’t hurt horses and fails to recommend that the racing industry changes its approach.
Training the opportunist and the comfort seeker
Of all animals, humans are the ultimate calculating opportunists. While pressing the world around us into our service, we have bred and trained a few of the other animals to suit our purposes. Among these domestic species, we are, I think, most indebted to dogs and...
Will You Know When It’s Time? Horse Euthanasia, the Hardest Decision by Far
End-of-life decisions and euthanasia for horses This article will help all horse owners who are either grappling with an end-of-life decision or aiming to plan ahead. It covers when and how to take the decision and who to involve. It explains the difference between...
Citizen Science: Your Contribution to E-BARQ Already Giving Back
E-BARQ, the citizen science project on horse behaviour and management is already giving back, thanks to the contributions of thousands of horse owners. While 2020 offered fewer opportunities for us to be out and about with our horses, behind the scenes, equine...
10 Reasons to Stop Whipping Racehorses
10 reasons to stop whipping racehorses, including new research revealing the likely pain it causes Pressure is increasing on the global horse-racing industry to reconsider the use of whips in the sport. Our research, published in the journal Animals, shows horses’...
Research shows whipping horses doesn’t make them run faster, straighter or safer — let’s cut it out
The horse racing whip debate just got harder... The Melbourne Cup is upon us. This year will be different due to COVID-19 — but one thing we don’t expect to change is concern about horses’ welfare, which seems to resurface each year. Just days before the Cup,...
We could reduce the slaughter of racehorses if we breed them for longer racing careers
The slaughter of racehorses bred in Australia, as revealed in the ABC’s investigation, highlights the challenge of what to do with racehorses when their careers are over. The ABC has questioned the racing industry’s claim that fewer than 1% of horses retiring from...
Is your horse normal? Now there’s an app for that
Since ancient times, horse behaviour, and the bond between horses and humans, has been a source of intrigue and fascination. The horse-lore that has accumulated over the centuries is a rich mix of both useful practice (approaching horses from their left side, making...
Breeding Thoroughbreds is far from natural in the race for a winner
Breeding Thoroughbreds. August 1 is considered the birthday of each and every Australian Thoroughbred racehorse and the official “horse birthday” in the southern hemisphere, no matter what date they were actually born. (The “horse birthday” date is January 1 for...
The shocking use of ‘jiggers’ in horse racing
Jiggers in horse racing: Trainer Darren Weir will not contest three charges for alleged possession of electronic devices used to give shocks to horses, according to a statement released by Racing Victoria earlier today. The statement says assistant trainer Jarrod...
