Owners of former racehorses in Great Britain have until the end of the month (Sunday 31 December 2023) to complete the inaugural Thoroughbred Census, an initiative being led by the Horse Welfare Board in partnership with Hartpury University and the Retraining of Racehorses.
The final call to action comes as the survey, which has also been supported by World Horse Welfare, Weatherbys and Racing Foundation, has reached a landmark of 6,000 competitions.
The Thoroughbred Census was launched to help provide a snapshot in time of the thoroughbred population, which the Horse Welfare Board and British Racing’s aftercare charity, Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), can use to improve and adapt welfare initiatives. Improved traceability of thoroughbreds once they have left racing will also enable fast and effective contact in the event of an equine disease outbreak.
Hartpury University’s involvement in the survey has been led by Dr Jane Williams, Associate Professor and Head of Research. She has been supported throughout the process by an experienced academic team that lead the institution’s horseracing degree programmes; Saranna Jordan and Laura Friend.
Helena Flynn, Programme Director of the Horse Welfare Board, said: “We’ve had a hugely positive reception to the Census. The people who own former racehorses are passionate about them and want to play their part in what may be a once-in-a-decade piece of research.
"With the Census closing on 31 December, we’re calling on all owners who have not yet taken part to get involved. This is a unique opportunity to gather robust and insightful data that can help shape the post-racing lives of thoroughbreds in the future.
"Whether your horse is retired to a field or is an RoR champion, we want to hear your stories and learn more about the amazing lives former racehorses go on to enjoy after they retire from the sport.”
Dr Jane Williams, Associate Professor and Head of Research at Hartpury University said: “The support for the census from thoroughbred owners has been fabulous and really demonstrates their commitment to horse welfare. Being able to gather information about where these horses are living, and how we manage and interact with them, will help us to establish an accurate record of numbers in the UK. This will help to inform future education, health and welfare initiatives to help us ensure all thoroughbreds have a good life. We hope in the final few weeks of the census, all horse owners will help raise awareness to help us reach everyone who owns and cares for a thoroughbred.”
The 2023 Thoroughbred Census can be completed online here. Completion of the census is not compulsory, but owners are strongly encouraged to join the community and participate. The initiative is part of British Racing’s Horse Welfare Board’s five-year welfare strategy, ‘A Life Well Lived’ and its commitment to improve traceability for all horses bred for racing.
Find out more about the project on the Facebook page here, where you’ll also be able to take part in the latest competition to win a £750 Redpost Equestrian voucher.
Horse welfare and research at Hartpury
Horse welfare is an important area of focus at Hartpury University and Hartpury College. This year, staff and students from the equine department signed a new Horse Charter, agreeing to be bound by a set of horse welfare principles.
Academics from the department have also been enlisted to help with the creation of new welfare guidelines for the World Breeding Foundation for Sport Horses (WBFSH). Research projects like these not only have the potential to positively impact the lives of horses, but also to provide students with real-world experience of addressing and solving industry challenges.
Hartpury’s research submitted as part of the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) has previously been recognised as ‘world leading’ and ‘internationally excellent’.
