He sees a tree stump, and you roll your eyes… because you know what’s coming next. This is the part where your horse plants his feet, perks up his ears, snorts, blows, and chews his own saliva. If you said he’s stressed at that moment, you’d be right. That’s especiallyRead More →
As horse owners, we aim to provide the best welfare for our horses, but, what is good horse welfare? And, how can you determine or measure if a domestic horse has good or bad welfare? These and many other questions have kept animal welfare scientists busy for many decades. And,Read More →
It starts with a photo, a horse looking withdrawn and depressed, or scared out of his mind, or starving to death, or getting his head yanked against his throat, or getting his nose cranked together with a noseband so tight it cuts into his skin and makes his mouth bleed.Read More →
Industry-led welfare and safety reforms are gaining momentum as several of the largest race tracks in the United States announce they will phase out the use of furosemide, commercially sold as Lasix, beginning in 2020. By 2021, race-day furosemide will be banned for all major races, including the Triple Crown.Read More →
Many horse owners are developing action plans to keep them and their horses safe during natural disasters like bushfires and floods. But these are not the only dangers from which owners need to protect their horses. Emergency animal diseases like equine influenza and Kunjin virus can spread far and fastRead More →
Racing resumed at Santa Anita Park last Friday, March 29, under rules which modernise the sport of horse racing and provide the strongest medication regulations in the United States. Approval for a complete revision of the medication rules, which were agreed upon by The Stronach Group, parent company of SantaRead More →
The Stronach Group has received complete support for the welfare and safety reforms from a large number of horseracing governing bodies, including the Breeders’ Cup, the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) and other industry leaders. Statement from Louis Romanet, chairman of the International Federation ofHorseracing Authorities (IFHA). The IFHA,Read More →
Whip-free race finishes may soon be a reality for California’s Thoroughbreds. A complete ban on striking a horse with a whip for anything other than a safety reason, is one of the urgent welfare reforms that the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) is expected to pass at their board members’Read More →
The French Equestrian Federation (FFE) has banned the removal of the horse’s whiskers on welfare grounds. It joins Germany and Switzerland in bringing into effect a rule that would disqualify any horse from competition if the whiskers have been removed. On their website they state that vibrissae, the correct termRead More →
With another hot Summer ahead in the Southern Hemisphere and last year’s record temperatures, it’s important to make sure you’re up to date on the latest, evidence-based advice on prevention of dehydration, heat stress and heat exhaustion. Exercise physiologist and scientific consultant Dr David Marlin was involved in extensive researchRead More →
