THIS week saw the launch of Horse Aware Week (April 9th-14th) in Dublin and the week-long events will conclude today (Saturday) with an Open Day, attended by top trainers, nutritionists and UCD veterinary staff.

Pupils from St. Ronan’s School in Deansrath, Clondalkin, South Dublin, heard an educational talk on Responsible Horse Ownership, part of a series of school talks held throughout the week in primary and secondary schools in the Clondalkin area of the capital.

The broad aim of the week is focusing on animal welfare, education and awareness.

Today (Saturday) the week will culminate in an Open Day at the Clondalkin Equine Club, Ronanstown, from 11am - 3pm.

Talks will include flat racing jockey and trainer Johnny Murtagh; representatives of RACE Academy; Nikki Walshe, lecturer in Equine Clinical Studies and UCD Equine Field Services on equine nutrition and worming. Keith Donohue of Dunsink Horse Club will speak on ‘From urban to saddle’, while Ann Keogan of Fettercairn Youth Horse Project will advise on ‘How to lunge a horse’.

The Garda Mounted Unit and Army Equitation School will also be there.

JOINT INITIATIVE

Horse Aware Week is a joint initiative between Clondalkin Equine Club, DSPCA, the Irish Horse Welfare Trust, Fettercairn Youth Horse Project and UCD veterinary staff, supported by South Dublin County Council.

It is part of a concerted effort to increase awareness about responsible horse ownership in the Dublin area spearheaded by the DRHWWG (Dublin Region Horse Welfare Working Group), which is a regional group established last year by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council, South Dublin County Council, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Council and An Garda Siochana.

The focus is on animal welfare and equine legislation, indiscriminate breeding, education and awareness relating to urban horse projects and programmes.