A mission to make Paris 2024 the Olympic Games of horse welfare
This post is an AI aided translation of the online article published by Le Parisien, following up on the French Parliamentary report sent to the Games' organising committee in 2022, and which included 46 recommendations for welfare reform. Most of which have not been...
Le Parisien: What if the Paris 2024 Olymic Games were about horse welfare?
Last Sunday’s edition of Le Parisien, a French daily newspaper with a circulation of over a quarter of a million copies, devoted a full page to the welfare scandals of Tokyo, and questioning whether enough will be done to protect horses and the sport from such...
Horse welfare through the lens of the Five Domains
Postgraduate students, representatives from the equine industry, teachers and riding instructors came from as far as Australia, Canada, Spain, Hungary, Great Britain, Finland, Denmark and Sweden and gathered at the picturesque and wintery Equine Centre Wången in...
International racing bodies urged to engage with horse welfare perception and reality
Racing representatives from around the world have been urged "to positively engage with both perception and reality, and show real commitment to change to ensure positive welfare" at the 57th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, organised by the...
Study identifies genes linked to successful galloping performance in horses
A new DNA study has identified a set of genes linked to successful galloping performance in horses selectively bred for racing. Horses have been selected for athletic characteristics for thousands of years. Traits that first evolved in the wild when horses needed to...
Racing Victoria’s Horse Welfare Strategy Released
Behavioural horse welfare is now a feature of Racing Victoria's Equine Welfare Strategic Plan. Racing Victoria (RV) has today released its 2023-27 Equine Welfare Strategic Plan (EWSP). It will set the agenda for the Victorian thoroughbred racing industry’s equine...
Horse owners’ Hendra vaccine class action dismissed by Federal Court
The Federal Court has dismissed an application for $53 million in damages in a class action by horse owners over alleged deaths and side effects from the Hendra vaccine.
Clear evidence that equestrians are concerned about the welfare of horses in sport
Research by the Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission shows clear evidence that both equestrians (75% of those surveyed) and the general public (65%) have concerns about the welfare of horses in sport.
Horse Welfare, Social Licence and Ethics Generates Heated Discussions at FEI General Assembly
The FEI equestrian community must strengthen its social licence to operate in light of growing public concern related to the welfare and wellbeing of horses in sport.
British Racing on climate change and sustainability
The summary findings and recommendations from an independent assessment of environmental sustainability across British racing and breeding have been published today. Project objectives: To review British racing’s current progress on environmental sustainability,...
Denmark Goes Green for the Herning 2022 FEI World Championships
As well as being the biggest equestrian event ever hosted in Denmark, Herning2022 will set a new benchmark for sustainability at major sporting events. The organisers of this year's FEI World Championships may have decades of experience in equestrian sports and major...
Full Report (English): Horse Welfare Overhaul for Paris 2024
Nine months after several incidents and accidents marred the equestrian disciplines of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, a study group from the French National Assembly (the lower house of the French Parliament), makes 46 recommendations for making Paris 2024 the Olympic...
French Parliament Calls for Horse Welfare Overhaul at Paris 2024
Nine months after several incidents and accidents marred the equestrian disciplines of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, a study group from the French National Assembly (the lower house of the French Parliament), makes 46 recommendations for making Paris 2024 the Olympic...
Hendra Vaccine Effective Against New Variant
Researchers have completed the analysis of the new Hendra virus variant which was detected by routine testing from a horse who died in 2015 but had tested negative to HeV infection. They say that the current vaccine will be effective against the new strain, now named...
FEI Prohibits all Russian Athletes, Horses and Officials from Participation
Following the decision just days ago to remove all international equestrian events in Russia and Belarus from the FEI Calendar, the FEI Board today announced an Emergency Board Resolution to prohibit the participation of all Russian and Belarusian athletes, horses and...
FEI Removes all International Equestrian Events in Russia and Belarus
The Executive Board of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) met on 28th February to unanimously condemn the invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces and agree on the ramifications to equestrian sport in Russia and Belarus. In line with the International...
Sales Records Broken at Australia’s 2022 Nutrien Classic
Sales at this year's Nutrient Classic have outdone any previous results in the event's 15 year history, generating more than $17.1 million, and surging past the 2021 gross of $10.71 million. With sales still under negotiation, the average sales price was $27,113.92,...
Knowledge Certificate for all Horse Owners will be Required by Law in France
New legislation passed in France will require all horse owners to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of equine needs that promote wellbeing. As part of their inter-species legislation, which aims to combat animal abuse and strengthen the bond between humans...
Anticipation Builds for the 2021 Equitation Science Conference
Anticipation builds as the programme for this year's International Equitation Science Conference is finalised. The event, which is themed 'Advancing Equestrian Practice to improve Equine Quality of Life' takes place on 20th and 22nd October 2021 and it's easy to...
Standardbred Freeze Branding System Discontinued
The 2021 foaling season will see changes to the current practice of freeze branding Standardbred horses. Microchips, which have been mandated for the past three years, will now become the main form of identification for all standardbred horses, replacing freeze...
Tokyo 2020, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
With all sports available in their entirety through the Channel 7 app, 7+, Australians enjoyed more of the equestrian Olympic events in Tokyo than ever before. Unfortunately, they might be wishing their sport had received rather less coverage than it did... Denzil...
From Pony Club to Olympic Glory
From their regional Pony Club to the world stage: Australia’s oldest and largest equine organisation helped shape the lives of our Olympic Equestrian Team. Australia’s most elite athletes are in Tokyo, Japan, not just bringing home medals but testing their skills...
Equitation Science Conference: Free Registration Announced
Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, the 2021 Equitation Science Conference is now offering free (yes FREE!) conference registration for all. This means that you will be able to attend the entire conference - the plenary presentations (scroll down to learn what's in...
Racing Victoria’s ‘Medicare for Thoroughbreds’ Aims to Minimise Injury Risk
Racing Victoria (RV) has announced a new subsidy scheme for owners and trainers to offset the cost of advanced diagnostic imaging on Victorian thoroughbreds. The Diagnostic Imaging Subsidy Program is a proactive approach to injury prevention for thoroughbred...
Vote for Lisa! UK Coaching Hero Finalist
Equicoach Lisa Ashton, a contributor, friend and long-time supporter of Horses and People, is one of a handful of shortlisted finalists in the UK Coaching Hero 2021 awards. The UK Coaching awards celebrates and rewards the coaches who have continued to keep people...
FEI Centenary Celebrations Kick Off #FEI100Years
The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) has kicked off year-long centenary celebrations today, calling for the equestrian community to show its commitment to “Shaping the future of equestrian sports together.” A video highlighting the achievements, successes and...
Next Step in the Evolution of Pony Club Coaching
Pony Club Australia has developed a new education and training course for Preliminary coaches. The new PCANCAS Preliminary Coach course is aligned with the PCA rider syllabus and brings together a range of material produced since the launch of the new PCA rider...
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...
Tough Decisions and Community Support Key in Fighting EHV-1 Outbreak
The official death toll from the EHV-1 outbreak has risen to 17, with three more horses dying in Germany, two in Belgium, and one more horse dying in a Valencia equine hospital. The FEI is following through with their promise of full transparency and improved...
Equine Herpes Virus Outbreak: FEI World Cup Final Cancelled as Death Toll Rises
Equine herpesvirus outbreak spreads through Europe forcing cancellation of FEI World Cup Finals. An Equine Herpesvirus outbreak in the Spanish city of Valencia has locked down the equestrian sector and forced the cancellation of the FEI World Cup Finals. The first...
Hendra Vaccine Class Action Commences as New Strain Identified
The Class Action against Zoetis, the pharmaceutical company responsible for manufacturing and marketing the Hendra vaccine, has commenced in the Federal Court of Australia as researchers announce they have identified a new strain was the cause of a previously...
Racing Victoria’s Calls for Limited Whip Reform
Racing Victoria (RV) has today confirmed that it will not be conducting any ‘whip for safety only’ race trials for the foreseeable future, including during the 2021 Festival of Racing. RV does have plans for a new race series to feature during the 2021 Festival of...
Equestrian Australia Forgot it’s About the Horses and the People
Last Monday, Equestrian Australia's Board of Directors placed the company into voluntary administration following the withdrawal of funding from Sport Australia, the body that oversees the governance of all sports. In this opinion piece, Denzil O'Brien, a former EA...
Equitation Welfare Workshop: Online Event
Equitation Science Equitation Welfare Workshops: An online event 'Agency and its effects on the sport horse' with Dr Andrew McLean (Equitation Science International) is an online event that will take place on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd August 2020. The workshop will...
International study on the effect of COVID-19 on horse owners
Researchers around the world have teamed up to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on horse owners and their animals. Using separate online surveys, the international research team is collecting qualitative and quantitative data to investigate the varying...
Horse Owners Asked to Step Out for ANZAC Day
Horse Owners asked to step out for ANZAC Day With ANZAC day commemorative events cancelled, Horse SA has invited horse owners and their steeds to stand at the end of their driveway, to commemorate the sacrifices of humans and animals in war. The idea of standing at...
Australia’s Risk of African Horse Sickness Outbreak Explained
An African Horse Sickness outbreak has ferociously killed hundreds of Thai horses in less than three weeks. How at risk is Australia? In some languages, it’s called “The Equine Plague.” And given its rapid transmission, fierce symptoms, and haunting mortality rates,...
Royal Windsor Show Pivots to a Virtual Platform to Beat the Pandemic
Faced with a pandemic, the Royal Windsor Horse Show 2020 has pivoted to a virtual platform. In doing so quickly and with a beautifully designed platform, the organisers have set the bar high for all other equestrian events going online to continue supporting...
(Online) Horse Shows Go On During COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown
Did you know you can also show from home? Many equestrian communities can organise online horse shows, allowing riders to upload video of their performances to be judged remotely. **Editor's note: We will be updating this post as news of new online competitions...
Racing Australia and Equestrian Victoria Collaborate to Improve Horse Traceability
In a show of inter-discipline collaboration, Equestrian Victoria and Racing Australia have agreed to share horse traceability data and augment the numerous equine welfare initiatives implemented by the Australian Racing Industry. This data share agreement supports...
Whip-free race finishes in UKs £1.8M Racing League
Jockeys will race under 'hands and heels' rules at this summer's Racing League if organisers have their way. Whips may be carried but not used for 'encouragement'. The Racing League, a new initiative of Championship Horse Racing, will be televised and take place...
Australian Bushfires – How Can I Help?
Help for Australian Bushfires. As part of the horse industry and farming communities, many of us are wanting to help those affected by the Australian bushfires. Reports of rain during last week have been welcome but the falls were patchy and most areas face ongoing...
Architects Offer Free Aid to Bushfire Victims
Architects offer free aid to bushfire victims Heartbreakingly, thousands of homes and farms in Australia have been destroyed or damaged by this summer’s devastating bushfires and in response, architects across the nation have put up their hands to help. Over 400 local...
The Equine Behaviour Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ)
The Equine Behaviour Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ) The Equine Behaviour Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ): Since ancient times, horse behaviour and the bond between horses and humans, have been a source of intrigue and fascination. The...
Groundwork with goals, another sustainable innovation from North American Western Dressage
Groundwork with goals, another sustainable innovation from North American Western Dressage The benefits of groundwork are becoming more and more apparent as horse owners—professionals and amateurs alike—discover that developing this partnership on the ground helps...
Main US racetracks to phase out race-day Lasix
Main US racetracks to phase out race-day Lasix. Race-day Lasix: 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,...
Ridden-horse ethogram helps identify pain
Horses, as flight animals, instinctively remain silent in the face of pain, but a new study, recently published in Equine Veterinary Education, shows they have a ‘voice’ if observers are trained to ‘listen’. The study confirms that if vets are trained to use a...
Horse-rider weight ratio pilot study: Results are in
Horse-rider weight ration pilot study: The results of a pilot study on the effects of rider weight on equine performance have been published in the world’s leading journal of equine veterinary education, Equine Veterinary Education (EVE). It not only highlights the...
Horses and People makes front page of The Weekend Australian Review
On Saturday April 6th 2019, the article written by Cristina Wilkins on the Santa Anita whip reforms was quoted on the front cover of The Weekend Australian Review's Sport section by award winning journalist Patrick Smith. Our investigations into the situation in...
California’s horseracing welfare reform: The details
California's horseracing welfare reform. 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...
Complete support within racing for Santa Anita Park reforms
Santa Anita Park reforms: 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...
Belinda Stronach, on return to racing at Santa Anita: All eyes are going to be on us.
Return to racing at Santa Anita. Belinda Stronach never wanted to test her crisis management skills in as painful a scene as occurred this winter at Santa Anita. As chief executive officer of the Stronach Group, which owns the track, the former member of the Canadian...
California leading the way with whip reforms in racing
Whip reforms in racing. 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...
France bans the trimming of whiskers
France bans the trimming of whiskers. 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...
End of Tight Nosebands for Dutch Horses
End of Tight Nosebands for Dutch Horses - From April 1st 2019, in The Netherlands, nosebands will have to be loose enough to allow a 1.5 cm gap between the strap and the nose bones in all disciplines regulated by the Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation (KNHS). The KNHS...
Western Dressage Leading the Way in North America
Western Dressage virtual competitions. Horse owners can show from the comfort of their own home with North American Western Dressage's (NAWD) virtual competitions, where video footage of each performance is uploaded and judged remotely. NAWD is leading the way towards...
