IFHA Publishes Minimum Horse Welfare Standards

The Horse Welfare Committee of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities has produced guidance on standards for the care and welfare of horses at different times of their life, which is in line with its terms of reference that include promoting best practice, harmonization, and information exchange across racing nations, the IFHA announced Dec. 14. Titled "IFHA Minimum Horse Welfare Standards", the paper outlining the standards complements recent reforms which will ensure the traceability of horses from their foal stage through into retirement and beyond.

Racing authorities should refer to this guidance to establish accepted horse welfare practices in their jurisdiction and to set minimum standards of participant behavior, including behavioral change where necessary, the IFHA said in its release.

"The IFHA affirms the central role of the horse in racing, and accordingly, regards the health and welfare of racehorses, in all stages of life, to be fundamentally important to the viability and sustainability of the industry," said IFHA chairman Louis Romanet. "The executive council of the Federation endorses this IFHA Minimum Horse Welfare Standards document and I want to thank our Horse Welfare Committee chairman Jamie Stier for leading the efforts to produce this useful and practical guide for racing authorities."

The IFHA's Horse Welfare Committee has prepared these standards, in part, by basing them upon sections of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing "Thoroughbred Welfare Assessment Guidelines" (October 2019) which were developed by NZTR with the assistance of Professor Emeritus David Mellor, foundation director of the Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre at Massey University in New Zealand. 

In conjunction with the publication of the IFHA Minimum Horse Welfare Standards, a short video and podcast have been produced, featuring Stier, who is also the executive general manager of integrity services for Racing Victoria, along with the aforementioned Mellor, and Dr. Lynn Hillyer, chief veterinary officer and head of anti-doping for the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board. The panel was moderated by esteemed British racing presenter Rishi Persad.