Appraising the Welfare of Thoroughbred Racehorses in Training in Queensland, Australia: The Incidence, Risk Factors and Outcomes for Horses after Retirement from Racing
There is international public concern regarding retirement of racehorses, including the reason for retirement and the outcome for horses after racing. However, there are currently no prospective studies investigating these factors. A recent independent inquiry in Queensland, Australia, highlighted t...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2021-01-01
|
| Series: | Animals |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/1/142 |
| _version_ | 1827602421460762624 |
|---|---|
| author | Kylie L. Crawford Anna Finnane Ristan M. Greer Clive J. C. Phillips Solomon M. Woldeyohannes Nigel R. Perkins Benjamin J. Ahern |
| author_facet | Kylie L. Crawford Anna Finnane Ristan M. Greer Clive J. C. Phillips Solomon M. Woldeyohannes Nigel R. Perkins Benjamin J. Ahern |
| author_sort | Kylie L. Crawford |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | There is international public concern regarding retirement of racehorses, including the reason for retirement and the outcome for horses after racing. However, there are currently no prospective studies investigating these factors. A recent independent inquiry in Queensland, Australia, highlighted that the true outcomes for horses after retirement from racing are largely unknown. Furthermore, there are currently no measures to monitor the outcome for racehorses and their welfare once they have left the care of the trainer. This study investigated these gaps in knowledge through a weekly survey conducted over a 13-month period. We aimed to evaluate: (1) the incidence of retirement, (2) the reasons and risk factors for retirement and (3) the medium-term (greater than 6 months) outcomes for horses after retirement. Data were collected through personal structured weekly interviews with participating trainers and analysed using negative binomial and logistic regression. There was a low incidence of retirements, namely 0.4% of horses in training per week. The season and training track did not affect the incidence of retirement. Musculoskeletal injuries were the most common reason for retirement (40/110 horses, 36%). Involuntary retirements accounted for 56/100 (51%) of retirements, whereby musculoskeletal injuries, respiratory or cardiac conditions and behavioural problems prevented the horse from racing The odds of voluntary retirement, whereby the horse was retired due to racing form or impending injury, increased with each additional race start (OR 1.05; <i>p</i> = 0.01) and start/year of racing (OR 1.21; <i>p</i> = 0.03) but decreased with increasing percentage of first, second and third places (OR 0.94; <i>p</i> < 0.001). Medium-term follow-up (median 14 months, IQR 11, 18, range 8–21) revealed that most horses (108/110; 98%) were repurposed after retirement, almost half as performance horses (50/110; 46%). Horses that voluntarily retired had 2.28 times the odds of being repurposed as performance horses than those retired involuntarily (<i>p</i> = 0.03). Whether retirement was voluntary or involuntary did not influence whether horses were used for breeding or pleasure. The primary limitation of this study is that our results reflect retirement in racehorses in South East Queensland, Australia, and may not be globally applicable. Furthermore, we were unable to monitor the long-term outcome and welfare of horses in their new careers. It is vital that the industry is focused on understanding the risks for voluntary rather than involuntary retirement and optimising the long-term repurposing of horses. There is a need for traceability and accountability for these horses to ensure that their welfare is maintained in their new careers. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:18:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-69be565db6084d0a94f6d1851369e102 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:18:08Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-69be565db6084d0a94f6d1851369e1022023-12-03T12:43:37ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152021-01-0111114210.3390/ani11010142Appraising the Welfare of Thoroughbred Racehorses in Training in Queensland, Australia: The Incidence, Risk Factors and Outcomes for Horses after Retirement from RacingKylie L. Crawford0Anna Finnane1Ristan M. Greer2Clive J. C. Phillips3Solomon M. Woldeyohannes4Nigel R. Perkins5Benjamin J. Ahern6School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton 4343, AustraliaSchool of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston 4006, AustraliaTorus Research, Bridgeman Downs 4035, AustraliaCurtin University Sustainability Policy (CUSP) Institute, Curtin University, Perth 6845, AustraliaSchool of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton 4343, AustraliaSchool of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton 4343, AustraliaSchool of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton 4343, AustraliaThere is international public concern regarding retirement of racehorses, including the reason for retirement and the outcome for horses after racing. However, there are currently no prospective studies investigating these factors. A recent independent inquiry in Queensland, Australia, highlighted that the true outcomes for horses after retirement from racing are largely unknown. Furthermore, there are currently no measures to monitor the outcome for racehorses and their welfare once they have left the care of the trainer. This study investigated these gaps in knowledge through a weekly survey conducted over a 13-month period. We aimed to evaluate: (1) the incidence of retirement, (2) the reasons and risk factors for retirement and (3) the medium-term (greater than 6 months) outcomes for horses after retirement. Data were collected through personal structured weekly interviews with participating trainers and analysed using negative binomial and logistic regression. There was a low incidence of retirements, namely 0.4% of horses in training per week. The season and training track did not affect the incidence of retirement. Musculoskeletal injuries were the most common reason for retirement (40/110 horses, 36%). Involuntary retirements accounted for 56/100 (51%) of retirements, whereby musculoskeletal injuries, respiratory or cardiac conditions and behavioural problems prevented the horse from racing The odds of voluntary retirement, whereby the horse was retired due to racing form or impending injury, increased with each additional race start (OR 1.05; <i>p</i> = 0.01) and start/year of racing (OR 1.21; <i>p</i> = 0.03) but decreased with increasing percentage of first, second and third places (OR 0.94; <i>p</i> < 0.001). Medium-term follow-up (median 14 months, IQR 11, 18, range 8–21) revealed that most horses (108/110; 98%) were repurposed after retirement, almost half as performance horses (50/110; 46%). Horses that voluntarily retired had 2.28 times the odds of being repurposed as performance horses than those retired involuntarily (<i>p</i> = 0.03). Whether retirement was voluntary or involuntary did not influence whether horses were used for breeding or pleasure. The primary limitation of this study is that our results reflect retirement in racehorses in South East Queensland, Australia, and may not be globally applicable. Furthermore, we were unable to monitor the long-term outcome and welfare of horses in their new careers. It is vital that the industry is focused on understanding the risks for voluntary rather than involuntary retirement and optimising the long-term repurposing of horses. There is a need for traceability and accountability for these horses to ensure that their welfare is maintained in their new careers.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/1/142racehorsethoroughbredwelfareretirement repurpose |
| spellingShingle | Kylie L. Crawford Anna Finnane Ristan M. Greer Clive J. C. Phillips Solomon M. Woldeyohannes Nigel R. Perkins Benjamin J. Ahern Appraising the Welfare of Thoroughbred Racehorses in Training in Queensland, Australia: The Incidence, Risk Factors and Outcomes for Horses after Retirement from Racing Animals racehorse thoroughbred welfare retirement repurpose |
| title | Appraising the Welfare of Thoroughbred Racehorses in Training in Queensland, Australia: The Incidence, Risk Factors and Outcomes for Horses after Retirement from Racing |
| title_full | Appraising the Welfare of Thoroughbred Racehorses in Training in Queensland, Australia: The Incidence, Risk Factors and Outcomes for Horses after Retirement from Racing |
| title_fullStr | Appraising the Welfare of Thoroughbred Racehorses in Training in Queensland, Australia: The Incidence, Risk Factors and Outcomes for Horses after Retirement from Racing |
| title_full_unstemmed | Appraising the Welfare of Thoroughbred Racehorses in Training in Queensland, Australia: The Incidence, Risk Factors and Outcomes for Horses after Retirement from Racing |
| title_short | Appraising the Welfare of Thoroughbred Racehorses in Training in Queensland, Australia: The Incidence, Risk Factors and Outcomes for Horses after Retirement from Racing |
| title_sort | appraising the welfare of thoroughbred racehorses in training in queensland australia the incidence risk factors and outcomes for horses after retirement from racing |
| topic | racehorse thoroughbred welfare retirement repurpose |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/1/142 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT kylielcrawford appraisingthewelfareofthoroughbredracehorsesintraininginqueenslandaustraliatheincidenceriskfactorsandoutcomesforhorsesafterretirementfromracing AT annafinnane appraisingthewelfareofthoroughbredracehorsesintraininginqueenslandaustraliatheincidenceriskfactorsandoutcomesforhorsesafterretirementfromracing AT ristanmgreer appraisingthewelfareofthoroughbredracehorsesintraininginqueenslandaustraliatheincidenceriskfactorsandoutcomesforhorsesafterretirementfromracing AT clivejcphillips appraisingthewelfareofthoroughbredracehorsesintraininginqueenslandaustraliatheincidenceriskfactorsandoutcomesforhorsesafterretirementfromracing AT solomonmwoldeyohannes appraisingthewelfareofthoroughbredracehorsesintraininginqueenslandaustraliatheincidenceriskfactorsandoutcomesforhorsesafterretirementfromracing AT nigelrperkins appraisingthewelfareofthoroughbredracehorsesintraininginqueenslandaustraliatheincidenceriskfactorsandoutcomesforhorsesafterretirementfromracing AT benjaminjahern appraisingthewelfareofthoroughbredracehorsesintraininginqueenslandaustraliatheincidenceriskfactorsandoutcomesforhorsesafterretirementfromracing |