STANDARDBRED racing is enjoying a surge of interest in Ireland over the recent past, thanks to the stalwart work of a few good men and women of the Irish Harness Racing Association (IHRA) and as part of my work as a veterinary surgeon, I’m very involved with the all aspects of the welfare, vaccination and veterinary care of the horses involved in this growing sport.

The IHRA is the governing body of standardbred racing in this country. It involves itself with the regulated sport of harness racing on the track and must not be confused with those who drive horses and ponies in races on public roads.