Horse Welfare Board Releases Aftercare Funding Review

Britain's Horse Welfare Board, established to produce a strategy that unites the whole industry and drives continuous improvement in the realm of racehorse aftercare, on Thursday released its Aftercare Funding Review. The report's recommendations touch on funding, focus and integration, traceability and data, accreditation, community, education and communication and are designed to cover any horse bred for racing. The report makes recommendations that will reform the structure of aftercare provision and build trust in racing's equine welfare processes, including having Retraining of Racehorses take on a significant role as the face of the initiative on behalf of the industry.

Barry Johnson, chair of the Horse Welfare Board, said, “Racing has continued to put welfare at the forefront of the sport and this review's recommendations will continue to ensure we support that progress. We can see that there is much to do to ensure that British racing remains a world leader in equine welfare. From filling our data gaps to ensuring that we see and can monitor a horse prior to their racing life and during retirement will be a vital part of giving horses a good life beyond racing. I am looking forward to building on these recommendations and working with RoR and other stakeholders in the aftercare sector.”

Philip Freedman, chairman of Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), said, “The Trustees of RoR welcome the publication of the Aftercare Funding Review. In particular we are pleased that the Horse Welfare Board recognises RoR as the organisation most suited to develop an expanded and broader aftercare role on behalf of British racing. We also welcome recognition for the important work RoR has done in generating an expanding market for former racehorses across a range of equestrian disciplines. Incorporating into the charity's remit “any horse bred for racing” will not only substantially increase the number of horses benefitting from our activities, it will require changes to our Charitable Objectives, and necessitate a review of our funding, structure and responsibilities. To that end we are looking to appoint an independent consultant, with experience in the field of equine welfare, to advise the Trustees on the implications of these changes and how they should best be addressed, in order that we can take the necessary measures.

“Integral to the success of implementing the Review's recommendations will be the support and collaboration of the whole industry, notably in addressing the funding and data gaps identified in the report. To that end, we look forward to working closely with the Horse Welfare Board so that going forward we continue to build the demand for Thoroughbreds outside of racing, a strategy which has served the sport well in minimising the number of the horses that subsequently require charitable support from RoR.”