There is a lot of misunderstanding when it comes to the welfare of racehorses in the UK. In fact, there have been countless protective measures implemented by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) which keeps track of the condition of horses and performs investigations and examinations to ensure that each horse is safe, in good health, and receiving the best level of care from their racehorse trainer, jockey, owner, and others involved in the sport.
As part of the BHA Rules of Racing, the racehorse trainer is governed by the Animal Welfare Act which serves to protect the horse from instances that can lead to an injury, ailment, pain and/or suffering. This includes both the trainer and veterinary surgeon being required to ensure a horse is fit to participate before entering it in a race.
Everyone involved with the racing industry only want to see healthy and fit animals race. The racehorse trainer would not run a horse which wasn't at full fitness, not only would the horse not race well but it may also jeopardize its future racing career.
Measures put in place by the BHA include course and jump inspections to ensure high safety standards and the presence of a horse ambulances and vets on the course to provide quick treatment if required. There are strict regulations in place regarding the use of performance enhancing drugs or drugs which may mask pain, horses are tested for the presence of such drugs ahead of racing. There are also regulations in place in regards to to the use of the whip by the jockeys, over use of the whip will end in disciplinary action, horses are also vetted after the race.
Horses in training are typically exercised no more vigorously than they might naturally run, gallop, or jump amongst the herd. The more physically demanding challenge of jump racing is not put on the horse until it is at least 3 years old.
The horse racing industry in addition, has the support of animal welfare organizations including the SSPCA, RSPCA, and WHW. Every attempt is made to prevent injuries, repair fractures when possible, and minimize dangers that may result in fatalities. Although there is still inherent risk involved, as with any sport, there are only about two deaths occurring for every thousand horses.
Despite speculation to the contrary, horseracing isn't a cruel sport. The horse trainer, owner, breeder, jockey, veterinary doctors, and administrative staff are all invested, motivated, and committed to providing excellent care that produces stronger and healthier horses more capable of competing at their best with a reduced risk of unwanted illnesses or injuries.
As part of the BHA Rules of Racing, the racehorse trainer is governed by the Animal Welfare Act which serves to protect the horse from instances that can lead to an injury, ailment, pain and/or suffering. This includes both the trainer and veterinary surgeon being required to ensure a horse is fit to participate before entering it in a race.
Everyone involved with the racing industry only want to see healthy and fit animals race. The racehorse trainer would not run a horse which wasn't at full fitness, not only would the horse not race well but it may also jeopardize its future racing career.
Measures put in place by the BHA include course and jump inspections to ensure high safety standards and the presence of a horse ambulances and vets on the course to provide quick treatment if required. There are strict regulations in place regarding the use of performance enhancing drugs or drugs which may mask pain, horses are tested for the presence of such drugs ahead of racing. There are also regulations in place in regards to to the use of the whip by the jockeys, over use of the whip will end in disciplinary action, horses are also vetted after the race.
Horses in training are typically exercised no more vigorously than they might naturally run, gallop, or jump amongst the herd. The more physically demanding challenge of jump racing is not put on the horse until it is at least 3 years old.
The horse racing industry in addition, has the support of animal welfare organizations including the SSPCA, RSPCA, and WHW. Every attempt is made to prevent injuries, repair fractures when possible, and minimize dangers that may result in fatalities. Although there is still inherent risk involved, as with any sport, there are only about two deaths occurring for every thousand horses.
Despite speculation to the contrary, horseracing isn't a cruel sport. The horse trainer, owner, breeder, jockey, veterinary doctors, and administrative staff are all invested, motivated, and committed to providing excellent care that produces stronger and healthier horses more capable of competing at their best with a reduced risk of unwanted illnesses or injuries.
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If you have a passion for horseracing and would like to have further involvement then a racehorse trainer can provide you with the vital next step. They will usually have a good selection of racehorses for sale.
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