WHEN A RACEHORSE LEAVES THE TRACK
* Some Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds become stock used to breed potential future winners
* A small number of horses will be rehomed and become pets or hacks for pony club, while others become showjumpers or dressage horses
* Others are sent to slaughter to become human or pet food
* In 2019 footage emerged of workers at the Meramist abattoir north of Brisbane mistreating horses sent there to be killed and processed
SHOCKWAVES AND REACTION
* The allegations of animal cruelty appalled the Australian public
* Racing industry bodies spoke out against the treatment
* In Queensland, the government launched an investigation of the accusations led by retired District Court judge Terry Martin SC
THE VERDICT
* That probe found the management of racehorses as a disposable commodity was unethical and not aligned with community expectations
* It also found the racing industry could not be held accountable for the lifelong welfare of retired horses once their careers were over
* It found that were was no adequate animal welfare monitoring at slaughterhouses
WHAT WILL CHANGE?
* Two industry bodies will set up a rehoming scheme
* But owners will need to make two genuine attempts to rehome the horse, and put it to the rehoming scheme
* If that fails, the horses can be killed or sent to an abattoir
* The Queensland government has been told to prioritise animal welfare
* Resting periods are recommended where horses are being brought from other states to be slaughtered in Queensland
* Cameras should be installed to capture what happens at “critical animal welfare points” and provided to state government officials
* The state government has left the door open to new agreements with abattoirs, or new laws
