It’s finally here! Almost two years in the making, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Welfare Working Group 140-page report has arrived, to improving the welfare of thoroughbreds on retirement.
In ‘giving 46 tips,’ this TAWWG report focuses on the aftercare of horses and how the industry can give the thoroughbreds a suitable second career and be protected from birth till death.
In an industry supporting 80,000 full time jobs nationally, the Australian thoroughbred industry is the second largest in the world and it’s the thoroughbred industry to accept responsibility.
With $1 billion in taxes raised annually, the TAWWG panel said the thoroughbred industry needs to ensure horses have a good life, including after racing and breeding, and a humane death.
As over 100,000 Australians own a share in a racehorse, the TWAAG says it would make clear to all participants, and the public, that minimum acceptable levels of care are required.
In developing its own national standards for all thoroughbreds, those for thoroughbreds would need to be higher than those of other of health care, and to exceed the minimum standards.
With some active 312 race clubs across Australia, Governments need to support the industry by developing national standards for all horse breeds, in-line with those of cattle and sheep.
This sets minimum care for horses in all stages of life, including after racing and breeding, and covers those areas where standards are required for end of life and the transportation of horses.
Governments strongly need to create a national traceability register for all horses, which identifies each horse individually, as well as location and owner, plus tracing them into retirement.
Additional horse transitional programs are required in moving thoroughbreds into good homes or a purposeful second career, being vital to ensure the long term welfare of these horses.
A national thoroughbred safety net to be established to support horses at risk of poor welfare after leaving racing and breeding, and those that are no longer in the thoroughbred industry.
A Thoroughbred Welfare Australia to be establish to help coordinate policy, run programs to stimulate demand, communicate to the public, and be a regulatory body with enforcement powers.
Compiled by the self-proclaimed Thoroughbred Aftercare Welfare Working Group, it included the peak bodies for breeders, trainers and jockeys, along with leading trainers and owners.
In being commissioned by key participants in the industry, rather than by racing authorities, it looks at how the industry can improve the welfare of horses who leave racing and breeding.
Its focus is on the aftercare of these horses and how the industry can better ensure thoroughbred horses have a suitable second career and are protected from birth until death.
Inspired by horrific footage of thoroughbred horses being mistreated at a Queensland abattoir in 2019, this highlighted some of the regulatory failures that exist in terms of horse welfare.
In receiving over 180 submissions from a wide range of industry participants, racing authorities and
welfare groups, more than 50 meetings were held in consultation by the panel.
Chaired by former Victorian premier and veterinarian Dr Denis Napthine AO, the TAWWG comprised Dr Bidda Jones AM as Head of Science at RSPCA Australia, Dr Ken Jacobs former president of Equine Veterinarians Australia and Jack Lake an agricultural policy and Prime Ministerial advisor.
While those funding the work were Thoroughbred Breeders Australia, Australian Trainers’ Association, Australian Jockeys’ Association, Victoria Racing Club, Brisbane Racing Club, AgriFutures, Tabcorp and Sportsbet.
