Sir, -

IT’S a very common scenario.

Trainer informs racehorse owner that he/she is of the opinion that their horse is no longer suited to racing.

Owner asks “What will we do with it?”

Trainer gives the owner of the usual options available - euthanasia or rehoming as a riding horse.

Owner, being a conscientious type, opts for rehoming.

Trainer informs owner that it will cost around €1,000-€2,000 to rehab/retrain and rehome the horse through a reputable retrainer.

Owner opts for euthanasia.

Owner spends a large sum the following week at the sales on a new horse.

As an unwritten rule in Irish racing, when a horse becomes surplus to requirement the trainer gets the job of disposing of it.

The trainer will want the horse gone quickly as it’s taking up a stable and costing money to maintain.

The owner, in most cases, is relieved of his/her responsibility toward the horse and can move on to buying the next one.

This chain of events, taking place in racing yards all over Ireland, has to yield a better outcome for the horse.

The owner’s responsibility towards their horse does not end when its racing career ends.

Euthanasia is a lazy, selfish and unsustainable option when their former pride and joy could go on to excel in another discipline.

Owners - it is your responsibility to:

Currently, there are private individuals carrying out retraining/rehoming and huge cost to themselves and receiving no financial support.

Only use euthanasia at the trainer’s yard by a qualified vet as a last resort and only in the situation where your horse’s quality of life will suffer through continuing to live with severe injuries.

Trainers it is your responsibility to inform your owner of their options.

Please make it the accepted norm where owners provide adequate finance to ensure that their horse is retrained properly and gets a top class home. - Yours etc.,

Ger Hussey

Horse Welfare Within Racing

Email: hwwrireland@gmail.com