In light of the findings of several recent noseband-related studies, this 2019 position statement by the International Society for Equitation Science replaces a previous version (2012) and reflects additional scientific evidence of potential adverse effects of restrictive nosebands on horses. For the purpose of this position statement, a restrictive nosebandRead More →
There’s a new term out there in the horse world. And like rollkur, it promises to be a trendy one. It also promises to be a scary one. Social Licence to Operate—SLO for short—is the acceptance of our sport by the public. It’s a virtual licence given by a virtualRead More →
The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) has called upon the Australian government to implement a nationwide welfare standard and a register to protect the welfare of all horses, not just the racehorses. Their official statement reinforces that the footage as reported on the ABC’s ‘The 7.30 Report’ was highly distressing andRead More →
In the wake of a shocking ABC report on the dismal end of many racehorses’ lives in slaughterhouses, many Australians are questioning whether the horse racing industry can operate ethically. Some people will never agree that animals should be used for human entertainment. Others argue horse racing is ethical andRead More →
This article focuses on what the end of life options are for horses, and the advantages and disadvantages of these options. It further discusses some of the welfare problems associated with slaughter and how some of these could be addressed. Article Highlights There is an array of welfare issues associatedRead More →
After two years of consultation with industry experts, welfare advocacy groups and animal welfare scientists, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) have released their comprehensive and progressive Thoroughbred Welfare Guidelines. They can be viewed and downloaded here. The time spent developing these guidelines, and the rules which support them, was necessaryRead More →
The slaughter of horses bred for racing 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 racing each year end upRead More →
In the varied responses to the ABC’s report into the fate of ex-racehorses, the consensus was that something should be done. Many have called for racehorse slaughter to be banned outright. This reaction differed significantly from that to footage of the mistreatment of livestock. Cattle and sheep are equally sentientRead More →
This weekend saw protests at Caulfield racecourse, following a shocking report last week on the ABC’s 7:30 program on the fate of thousands of racehorses in Australia. It is a confronting wake-up call for an industry already struggling to maintain its social license to operate. Dozens of horses were recordedRead More →
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 them slightly less reactive) and unsubstantiated myth,Read More →
