Horse Rescue & Equine Welfare Events ~ May & June 2013

Posted on 01/05/2013 by Admin

Events in the next couple of months include World Donkey Day, large animal rescue roadshow dates, a high tea for mothers day, two trivia nights, law lecture series, picnic with donkeys, thoroughbred retraining demonstrations, volunteer days and an animal career discovery day! Take a look below for events near you, and don’t forget to check the “Events” tab on our site at any time for what’s happening all year round.

Donkey cartoon 04

8th May is World Donkey Day!

Equine Emergency Rescue Roadshow ~ Australia & New Zealand

May 2013

  • Wed 1st May - Melbourne, Vic - Voiceless “Law Lecture Series” - Website link
  • Thurs 2nd May - Warrnambool, Vic - Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses “Warnambool Jumps Carnival Demonstration” - Facebook event
  • Thurs 2nd May - Perth, WA - Voiceless “Law Lecture Series” - Website link
  • Fri 3rd May - Perth, WA - Voiceless “Law Lecture Series” - Website link
  • Fri 3rd – Sun 5th May - NSW - Hunter Valley Brumby Association will be at “Tocal Field Days” - website
  • Fri 3rd – Sun 5th May - NSW - Horse Welfare Inc will be at “Tocal Field Days” - Facebook event
  • Sun 5th May - Atherton, Qld - ATHRA/QHC Large Animal Rescue Roadshow “One day information workshop” - website link
  • Mon 6th May - Adelaide, SA - Voiceless the Animal Protection Institute “Law Lecture Series” - Website link
  • Tues 7th May - Sydney, NSW - Voiceless the Animal Protection Institute “Law Lecture Series” - Website link
  • Wed 8th May - Worldwide - World Donkey Day
  • Wed 8th May - Canberra, ACT - Voiceless the Animal Protection Institute “Law Lecture Series” - Website link
  • Thur 9th May - Brisbane, Qld - Voiceless the Animal Protection Institute “Law Lecture Series” - Website link
  • Fri 10th May - Brisbane, Qld - Voiceless the Animal Protection Institute “Law Lecture Series” - Website link
  • Fri 10th May - Clarencetown, NSW - Good Samaritan Donkey Sanctuary “Picnic with the Donkeys” - See their newsletter for more info (PDF file)
  • Sat 11th May - Rosehill Gardens, NSW - NSW Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Trust “Enjoy a private suite at the races and support the TRT” - Website
  • Sun 12th May - Glen Oak, Hunter Valley, NSW - Horse Welfare Inc “HWI High Tea – Mother’s Day” - Facebook event
  • Sun 12th May - Willowmavin, Vic - Edgar’s Mission “Volunteer Day” - Website
  • Mon 13th May - Gold Coast, Qld - Voiceless the Animal Protection Institute “Law Lecture Series” - Website link
  • Tues 14th May - Clarencetown, NSW - Good Samaritan Donkey Sanctuary Inc “Picnic with the Donkeys” - See their newsletter for more info (PDF file)
  • Sat 18th May - Gidgegannup, WA - Equine Welfare Partners “Pony Not Included – Horse gear sale/swap” - Facebook event page
  • Sat 18th May - Vic - Bendigo Animal Welfare and Community Services “Annual Trivia Night” - Website
  • Sat 18th May - Scone, NSW - NSW Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Trust demonstration at “2013 Scone & Upper Hunter Horse Festival” - Website and Facebook event
  • Sat 18th May – Werribee, Vic – Mitavite 2013 Victorian Dressage Expo will have a presentation “From the track to the dressage arena” – Info on Facebook
  • Sun 19th May - National - RSPCA Australia “Million Paws Walk”
  • Sun 19th May - Sydney, NSW - Edgar’s Mission receives funds raised by “Women of Letters” - Facebook event page
  • Thur 23rd May - Sydney, NSW - Edgar’s Mission receives funds raised by “People of Letters” - Facebook event page
  • Sat 25th May - Willowmavin, Vic - Edgar’s Mission “Volunteer Day” - Website
  • Sun 26th May - Wallumbilla, Qld - ATHRA/QHC Large Animal Rescue Roadshow “One day information workshop” - website link
  • Sun 26th May - Northcote, Vic - Edgar’s Mission receives funds raised by “Women of Letters” - Facebook event page

June 2013

  • Sat 1st Jun - Canberra, ACT - RSPCA ACT “Adam Hills Live (special function before the show)” - Website
  • Sat 1st Jun - Robina, Qld - Animal Welfare League of Qld “Glamour Pusses Presents – The Great Gatsby” - Website
  • Thur 6th & Fri 7th June - Roseworthy, SA - Safety Access Training / Horse SA “Two-day course for event organisers, coaches, officials, welfare officers or people who encounter large animals in the workplace.” - website link
  • Sat 8th June - Brisbane, Qld - Animal Welfare League of Qld “Winter Wonderland Dinner and Dance” - Website
  • Sat 8th & Sun 9th June - Roseworthy, SA - Safety Access Training / Horse SA “Two-day course for event organisers, coaches, officials, welfare officers or people who encounter large animals in the workplace.” - website link
  • Sun 9th June - Freemans Reach, NSW - Horse Rescue Australia “Volunteer Day” - Website 
  • Sun 9th June - Townsville, Qld - ATHRA/QHC Large Animal Rescue Roadshow “One day information workshop” - website link
  • Sun 9th Jun - Willowmavin, Vic - Edgar’s Mission “Volunteer Day” - Website
  • Sat 15th Jun - Perth, WA - Second Chance Horse Rescue & Rehabilitation Inc “Second Chance Music and Trivia Quiz Night” - Website link (see right side bar) & Facebook event page
  • Tue 18th Jun - Burwood East, Vic - RSPCA Victoria “Animal Career Discovery Day” - Website link
  • Sat 22nd Jun - Willowmavin, Vic - Edgar’s Mission “Volunteer Day” - Website
  • Sun 23rd Jun - Boonah, Qld - Donkey Society of Qld/QHC Large Animal Rescue Roadshow “One day information workshop” - website link
Other calendars of events

Please email us at editor(at)australianhorserescue.com it you know of any events involving equine welfare or rescue for Australians. :)

Posted in Donkeys, Emergency assistance, Events, Fundraising, Racing, Special Events, Volunteering | Leave a comment

Upcoming Events March and April 2013

Posted on 02/03/2013 by Admin

Events in March & April include National Brumby Week, the start of the Large Animal Rescue Roadshow, a fashion event in NSW, a gymkhana in WA, a quiz night in Darwin and heaps more!

Tumba brumby 4

“Tumba Brumby” photo by Robyn Macrae via Wikimedia Commons

March 2013

  • Fri 1st & Sat 2nd March - Armidale, NSW - North West Equine Rescue will have a stall at the Armidale Show - website for Armidale show
  • Sat 2nd March - Yarra Glen, Vic - Harmony Reins Animal Haven will have a stall at the Yarra Glen Gear Market - Info on Facebook
  • Thur 7th March - Cherry Gardens, SA - Horse SA “Introduction to Large Animal Rescue” - website link
  • Sat 9th March - Newcastle, NSW - Horse Welfare Inc “HWI Charity Fashion Event” - Facebook page for event
  • Sun 10th Mar - Willowmavin, Vic - Edgar’s Mission “Volunteer Day” - Website
  • Fri 15th – Sat 16th Mar – Muswellbrook, NSW – Hunter Valley Brumby Association will be at “Muswellbrook Show” with a merchandise and info stand - website
  • Sun 17th March - Werribee, Vic - Project Hope Horse Welfare Victoria will have an information stall and representative horse present at “University of Melbourne Faculty of Veterinary Science and University Veterinary Hospital’s annual Open Day” - Website (scroll down for details)
  • Mon 18th – Sun 24th Mar - Australia wide - National Brumby Week 2013 – Events will include beach rides in Vic and NSW, and a trail ride, brumby spotting tour and training display in Qld. Info on p.8 of Australian Brumby Alliance December newsletter (PDF file)
  • Thur 21st Mar - Darwin, NT - RSPCA Darwin “Biggest Quiz Night” - Website
  • Sat 23rd Mar - Geelong, Vic - QHC Large Animal Rescue Roadshow “One day information workshop” - website link
  • Sat 23rd Mar - Willowmavin, Vic - Edgar’s Mission “Volunteer Day” - Website
  • Sat 30th Mar - Whiteman Park, WA - Second Chance Horse Rescue Inc “Beginners Gymkhana” - Info on Facebook
  • Sat 30th Mar - Oakbank, SA - Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses “Oakbank Easter Jumps Carnival Demonstration (Day 1 of 2)” - Facebook Event

April 2013

  • Mon 1st April - Oakbank, SA - Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses ”Oakbank Easter Jumps Carnival Demonstration (Day 2 of 2)” - Facebook event
  • Fri 5th – Sat 6th Apr - Stroud, NSW - Hunter Valley Brumby Association will be at “Stroud Show” with a merchandise/info stand - website
  • Sun 14th Apr - Sandford, Tas - Tasmanian Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation Organisation “Fudraiser Ride” - Event page
  • Sun 14th Apr - Willowmavin, Vic - Edgar’s Mission “Volunteer Day” - Website
  • Sat 27th Apr - Willowmavin, Vic - Edgar’s Mission “Volunteer Day” - Website

Equine Emergency Rescue Roadshow ~ Australia & New Zealand

All year long
  • Host your own fundraiser for Project Hope Horse Welfare Victoria “Extra little bit of hope” - Download the program here (PDF file)
Other calendars of events

Please email us at editor(at)australianhorserescue.com it you know of any events involving equine welfare or rescue for Australians. :)

 

Posted in Brumbies, Emergency assistance, Events | Leave a comment

Ready for the 2013 show season? Promoting Brumbies, Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds in the show ring

Posted on 18/01/2013 by Admin

Many horse people enjoy getting out and competing with their equine friends

If you’ve got a Brumby, Standardbred or thoroughbred and enjoy competing, take a look at these event calendars for a chance to get out there and show everyone how great your horse is!

Brumbies, Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds have one thing in common: most are not bred specifically for the recreational horse community, and so they often require thorough training and handling from experienced persons to ensure the transition from race horse or wild horse to pleasure or performance horse is as smooth and trouble free as possible.

Sadly the best information available indicates that these three breeds alone make up an estimated 62.9% of horses slaughtered in Australia each year (40% Thoroughbred, 12.9% Standardbred and 10% Brumby.)1

Prejudices and misconceptions are a major factor preventing more of these horses from finding homes. First hand experience, meeting or seeing horses out and about, can do wonders to address this, so check out the links below for events near you in 2013.

Brumbies

Standardbreds (Former Harness Racing Horses)

Thoroughbreds (Former Gallopers)

  • Off The Track Show Horse Series ~ Show series for thoroughbred ex-racehorses in Victoria
  • Thoroughbred Riding Club Inc (Vic)  ~ calendar includes dressage, showing and rally days
  • Most ag shows have had thoroughbred classes for many years, and a large proportion of horses in the open hack and galloway rings are thoroughbreds ~ Check your local agricultural show programs for details.

For more events relating to horse welfare and equine rescue, keep an eye on our Events page. 

Footnotes:

1 – 2008 study into horses in abattoirs is available for download as a PDF file on the RSPCA Knowledgebase

Posted in Brumbies, Events, Racing | Comments Off

Helping Equines in Tas, NSW & Vic Bushfires ~ January 2013

Posted on 13/01/2013 by Admin

Horses, ponies and donkeys have been caught up in the dreadful bushfires in Tas, NSW and Vic. If you want to help, or know someone who needs help, please take a look at these assistance programs currently underway. jan 2013 horses in bushfires

** Make (or update) your emergency plans now ~ visit our equine emergency resource page for more information **

Programs in alphabetical order (Basic summary only ~ Click through to each link for full details.):

  • Blazeaid (Vic, NSW and Tas)

Volunteers building fences that have been burnt out by fires. Have established base camps in Tasmania NSW and Vic. Visit the Blazeaid website for more information.

  • Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment Tasmania (Tas)

Free emergency veterinary treatment in Dunalley, please visit the the DPIPWE website for more information.

  • Department of Primary Industries Victoria (Vic)

Quote: “DPI’s bushfire recovery program focuses on the provision of advice…” and “…also connect landholders to services and grants provided by other recovery agencies and organisations.” Visit their website for more information.

  • North West Equine Rescue Inc (Tas, NSW, and Vic)

NWER’s assistance efforts have seen donations of necessary items such as veterinary supplies and fencing gear getting to those who need them, stay tuned to their Facebook page for updates on Vic, NSW and Tas.

  • New South Wales Government Department of Primary Industries (NSW)

The DPI and NSW Farmers have organised a fodder donation register for fire affected livestock. Visit the Fodder register page on the DPI NSW website to donate or enquire about receiving fodder.

  • Project Hope Horse Welfare Victoria Inc (Vic)

Quote: “Project Hope Horse Welfare Victoria has disaster relief for horses and horse owners affected by fire or other natural disaster in Victoria.” Click here to visit their website for latest updates and information.

  • Quest Equine Welfare Inc (Tas, NSW & Vic as required)

QEW have launched an Equine Assistance Appeal, you can donate new items (purchased at any supplier, but they must be new for horse health reasons), Horseland gift cards and funds. Funds collected have so far been used for urgent requirements such as fencing supplies and veterinary bills. For more information, including updates and a list of what is most needed, visit their website, and stay tuned to their Facebook page.

  • RSPCA Tasmania (Tas)

Providing services including veterinary care, lost and found and register of people offering transport and accommodation/agistment to evacuated animals. Visit their website  and Facebook page for more information.

  • Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (Tas)

The TFGA’s emergency response plan swung into action, with fodder and other necessities transported to those in need. Please see their website and Facebook page for more information.

  • Triple R Equine Welfare Inc 

Stay tuned to the Triple R Equine Welfare Inc Facebook page for updates.

 

For more links relevant to the Tamsanian fires please see our previous post: Help for horses & other animals in Tasmanian bushfires ~ Jan 2013 

Posted in Emergency assistance, Horse Welfare | 2 Comments

Help for horses & other animals in Tasmanian bushfires ~ Jan 2013

Posted on 05/01/2013 by Admin

*UPDATED* Useful links for horse people affected by January 2013 bush fires in Tasmania. Lost and found animals, vet services, evacuation for animals, donation drives for stockfeed and more. If you know of anything not included below, please let us know by commenting below and we will continue to update this post as necessary. Photo Credit: Mark Marathon

UPDATED 6th Jan, Sun AM.  UPDATED 7th Jan Mon AM UPDATED 7th Jan Mon PM UPDATED 8th Jan Tues AM UPDATED 8th Jan Tues PM 

UPDATE – see post “Helping Equines in Tas, NSW & Vic Bushfires ~ January 2013″ published 13th Jan also.

General Networking & Info pages for Horse People who need help or want to offer help within Tas

Lost and Found animals, horses, donkeys and other equines:

Veterinary care for fire affected animals (including wildlife)

Accommodation & Transport for fire affected animals

“The Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania has offered to make its 17ha Showground site at Glenorchy available for sheltering animals affected by yesterday’s bushfires.

Business Operations Manager at the Showground Scott Woodham says that free use of the Showground’s multiple stables and sheds is being offered to affected property owners if needed to provide shelter for their animals.

“We’re also happy to provide camping on site free of charge for anyone accompanying their animals,” said Scott.

“The Showground is ideally suited to providing such shelter. Each year during the Royal Hobart Show it hosts stock levels in the hundreds as well as a wide variety of other animals ranging from poultry to dogs.

“Stock will require feed and rural Tasmanians unaffected by the fires may be prepared to assist by donating food.”

Anyone wishing to take up the opportunity for stock shelter should contact Scott Woodham on 0400 574654 prior to arriving at the Showground.

“RSPCA TASMANIA – ASSISTANCE FOR OWNERS OF STOCK AND PETS IN BUSHFIRE DANGER AREAS

With the threat of bushfires to many homes in the south of the state, the RSPCA’s Hobart Animal Care Centre is compiling a register of members of the community who are calling with offers of assistance for people who may need to evacuate their stock or pets from their properties. The offers include emergency accommodation and transport. The register will facilitate the matching of people in need with those who can help them. People wanting to offer assistance, or those in need of that help, may call the Hobart shelter on 6244 3033, business hours are 10am – 4pm every day. Voicemail messages may be left if out of hours.

It is likely that following the fires, stock owners will also need assistance with food for their animals, and RSPCA will also take details for that purpose.

Contact the shelter direct on 6244 3033.”

Donations within Tasmania

  • Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania are handling donations of feed. The following was posted as a status on the Hobart Showground Facebook page. (Please check the Facebook page for future updates):

“The Royal Agricultural Soiciety of Tasmania will be taking donations of all non perishable animal food at the Hobart Showground… We are accepting food for all types of animals including grass hay. Bring donations to the Administration Building which is located at the top of the hill when you come through the Howard Rd entrance to the Showground. If you are bringing grass hay please see us before unloading as we will put this in anaother building. Food will be distributed to the affected areas later in the week or as required.

  • UPDATED: Donate to RSPCA Tasmania at https://www.rspcatas.org.au/donate/ RSPCA Tasmania is taking donations at every Tasmanian branch, below is the relevant section of a post copied and pasted from the RSPCA Tasmania Facebook page. Please stay tuned to their Facebook page for any updates:

“Drop off food, blankets and other donations to your closest [Tasmanian] RSPCA or at the Hobart Showgrounds”

Donations from outside Tasmania

General Information on Fire and Horses

General Tasmanian Bushfire Social Networking pages

Please comment below if you believe there is something we should add to the above. Thank you.

For those not currently affected by fires, now may be the perfect time to update your emergency plan ~ See our “Floods, Fires and Other Emergencies” page for more information

Posted in Emergency assistance, Horse Welfare | 1 Comment

Upcoming Events ~ January and February 2013

Posted on 02/01/2013 by Admin

*Updated* Happy New Year! Events in the next couple of months include a brumby open day in NSW,   Brumbya seminar at a natural horsemanship centre in NSW, a conference for animal welfare advocates in Vic, an animal welfare science seminar in ACT and a fine food and wine night in Qld. Scroll down for brumby, standardbred and thoroughbred events calendars!

January 2013

  • Sat 12th Jan - Glen Oak, NSW - Horse Welfare Inc will be receiving $5 from each ticket sold for the “Hunter Natural Horsemanship Centre 2 hr Seminar” - Facebook event
  • Sat 12th & Sun 13 Jan - Gold Coast, Qld - Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses “Magic Millions Demo – 1% to stop the slaughter” - Facebook event for Jan 12th and Facebook event for Jan 13th
  • Sun 13th Jan - Willowmavin, Vic - Edgar’s Mission “Volunteer Day” - Website
  • Sun 13th Jan - Brisbane, Qld - Participants in the “Resolution Run” can choose to fundraise for RSPCA Qld - website
  • Sat 19th & Sun 20th Jan - Fitzroy, Vic - Conference “Ending Cruelty – Campaigning for Success Conference” - Info on Animals Australia website and Facebook event
  • Sun 20th Jan - Hunter Valley, NSW - Hunter Valley Brumby Association “Open Day” - website
  • Sat 26th Jan - Willowmavin, Vic - Edgar’s Mission “Volunteer Day” - Website

February 2013

  • Sun 10th Feb - Willowmavin, Vic - Edgar’s Mission “Volunteer Day” - Website
  • Fri 15th Feb - Montville, Qld - RSPCA Qld “Animal A-Fare” - Website
  • Sat 23rd Feb - Willowmavin, Vic - Edgar’s Mission “Volunteer Day” - Website
  • Tues 26th Feb - Canberra, ACT - RSPCA Australia “Scientific Seminar 2013 ~ When coping is not enough - Promoting positive welfare states in animals” - Website

Equine Emergency Rescue Roadshow ~ Australia & New Zealand

All year long
  • Host your own fundraiser for Project Hope Horse Welfare Victoria “Extra little bit of hope” - Download the program here (PDF file)
Other calendars of events
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Christmas 2012 “Horses in Need” Gift Guide!

Posted on 03/12/2012 by Admin

Doing some of your Christmas shopping online this year? Did you know there are heaps of things you can buy online that benefit horses, donkeys and other equines in need? Check out our 2012 Christmas guide below ~ Simply click on the pictures to visit the online stores. There is a LOT MORE available than the small sample on this post!!

*** Please check each individual online store/website/Facebook page carefully for information such as prices, how to order, delivery times and availability. ***

(PS. Don’t forget you can find links to online stores that help horse rescue and equine welfare all year round on the Shop page)

Christmas cards:

Project Hope Horse Welfare Vic, Edgar’s Mission, Heavy Horse Heaven and Horse Rescue Australia all have cards:

 

Blank Cards from Heavy Horse Heaven (Simply write your own Christmas message!):

Horse Rescue Australia (link is PDF file) have blank, birthday and Christmas cards available

Christmas Decorations:

This cute foal ornament is Joy from Quest Equine Welfare Inc:

Need wine for your Christmas party?

Goodwill Wines options for equine welfare:

- Bendigo Animal Welfare and Comnunity Service wines

- Edgar’s Mission Farm Sanctuary

RSPCA Victoria - A range of Tyrrell’s Wines available through their online store

Christmas stockings:

A range of stockings from Quest Equine Welfare Inc:

  

 

2013 Calendars

Heavy Horse Heaven ~ 2013 Calender

Horse Rescue Australia ~ 2013 Calendar

Save a Horse Australia ~ 2013 “Hotties for Horses” Calendar

Stuffed toy ponies, teddy bears and cows

Quest Equine Welfare and RSPCA:

   

Below are Horse Welfare Inc  “Huggie Horses” (Each one is unique ~ Get in quick and stay tuned to their FB page as they are very popular!)

  

Jewellery

Quest Equine Welfare and Epona’s Pastures:

  

Browbands (With your horse’s name)

Hoofs2010 Inc Brumby Rescue:

Jigsaw Puzzles

Quest Equine Welfare Inc:

 

Stubby Coolers/”Beer Holders”

Hunter Valley Brumby Association, Coffin Bay Brumby Preservation Society and Project Hope Horse Welfare Vic:

  

There are so many Cool Gifts available, here are some random ones:

Ponchos, mugs, bags, cushions, pillows, journals, key rings, pens and even golf balls!
                

And we haven’t even included the wide range of clothing available! Below are some baseball caps… most organisations also have polo shirts and other clothing as well. Take a look:

 

               

 

Click through to the Shop page for more links and pics of what’s available!

*** Please check each individual online store/website/Facebook page carefully for information such as prices, how to order, delivery times and availability. ***

Happy Shopping!! :D

 

Posted in Fundraising, Special Events | Comments Off

Events for December 2012

Posted on 01/12/2012 by Admin

Things are slowing down a little, but there are still some great events on the cards this month! There’s Carols by Barnlight in Victoria, and the Victorian Brumby Association’s 5th Anniversary Open Day! Check out more below:

December 2012
All year long
  • Host your own fundraiser for Project Hope Horse Welfare Victoria “Extra little bit of hope” - Download the program here (PDF file)
Other calendars of events

For the most up to date list of events visit our Events tab.

Please email us at editor(at)australianhorserescue.com it you know of any events involving equine welfare or rescue for Australians. :)

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Equine Health and Welfare at Equitana 2012

Posted on 14/11/2012 by Admin

Equitana is on this week, and it’s great to see that various equine welfare issues will be represented. Make sure you check them out if you’re heading along! Project Hope is the official charity, and also there will be the brumbies, standardbreds, thoroughbreds and equine emergency rescue. 

Brumbies

The Victorian Brumby Association will be located in the Equitana Breed Village. They will have a few different brumbies attending, so you can see brumbies from different regions each day. Read more on their website. They will also be appearing in the John Deere Presentation Arena on Thursday afternoon and Saturday afternoon ~ Read more here.

Equine Emergency Rescue

There will be two Equine Emergency Rescue presentations. One on Float Accidents on Friday afternoon (Click here for Fri timetable – PDF) and another one relating to floods on Saturday morning (Click here for Sat timetable – PDF). Both will take place in the Rubber Arena. Rebecca Gimenez and MaryAnne Leighton, who will be presenting the above with the help of Bruce the training mannequin, will also be at the Horse SA stand in the Epsom Pavillion (#473), which will be dedicated to Large Animal Emergency Rescue. Read more on the Equine Emergency Rescue website.

Project Hope Horse Welfare Victoria Inc

Project Hope is the official charity of Equitana 2012! They will have a stand at number #342 in the Epsom Pavillion. They will also be holding presentations each day telling the story of Peggy in the Hygain Demonstration Arena. They will be on Thursday at 12:45, on Friday afternoon at 5:45pm, Saturday afternoon at 5:45pm and Sunday afternoon at 2:30pm. Click here for timetable links for each day. Read more on the Project Hope website. 

Standardbreds

There will be two individual demonstrations by Standardbreds Australia Unharnessed in the John Deere Demonstration Arena, one on Thursday afternoon and one on Saturday afternoon. They will also be involved in group demonstrations ~ Thursday pleasure and trail riding types and show horse types, Friday harness types, Saturday jumping, eventing and hunter types and pleasure and trail riding types, and Sunday show horse, dressage and harness types.  The Combined Standardbreds Association of Australia will be located in the Equitana Breed Village.

Thoroughbreds

Thoroughbreds will feature in the breed village, they will be presenting individually on Thursday and Saturday, and they will be involved in group presentations of different types on different days ~ Thursday pleasure and trail riding types and show horse types, Friday dressage types, Saturday jumping, eventing and hunter types, and Sunday show horse types. Click here to find out more.

The “From Race Horse to Riding Horse” demonstrations will be at 9:45 Saturday  and 12pm Sunda in the Epsom Arena ~ Click here to find out more.

Plus heaps more…

Take advantage of the opportunity to see experts in all sorts of topics related to horse health and welfare. Check out the education timetables to help plan your day/s, so that you don’t miss anything!

 

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Horse Welfare Decisions Key to Racing’s Future

Posted on 06/11/2012 by Admin

Horse racing in Australia is big business. It is a multi-billion dollar industry, but it is also an industry with more than a few challenges ahead. While the Melbourne Cup and Spring Carnival shine the spotlight on the sport for a few weeks, for the rest of the year it appears that racing may be facing a decline. A key factor in this decline is undoubtedly the view held by a growing number of Australians that the racing industry is lagging well behind public opinion on the welfare of the horses that the industry relies on for its very existence. 

The world is changing. The proportion of the public that values animal welfare is increasing, and that is sure to continue well into the future. It’s time for the industry to decide whether to accept this reality and move in the same direction as the Australian people or to do nothing and watch more and more people make decisions that take them away from racing, such as signing the Animals Australia “pledge to never bet on cruelty“.

Aussies have many gambling options available, with big competition from poker machines, casinos, sports betting and the like, can the industry afford to make decisions that will continue to drive people away?

Token gestures, along the lines of “greenwashing” (is it “carewashing” when welfare is involved?) are not enough. What is needed is real change that is widespread so that it makes a difference to every one of the thousands of horses that keep the industry going.

It should also be noted at this point that there are of course many people within racing who are already making decisions to improve the welfare of their horses. We congratulate and thank these people who aim to make decisions in the best interests of their horses, and hope that their influence will help give others the motivation to do likewise.

The point of this article is to give a brief overview of the numerous horse welfare issues that cause passionate debate when raised in certain circles. These are complex issues, so please click through to the links for more information.

Horse “Wastage”

The RSPCA Australia knowledgebase has some interesting reading on wastage in the racing industry. Here is a quote from their site defining wastage:

“Wastage refers to the number of horses that are lost from the racing industry. Wastage can occur at any stage of the horse’s life, including prior to racing.

It is estimated that out of 1000 pregnancies in Thoroughbred Australian mares only 300 foals will actually race. Similar pre-racing wastage has been found in Standardbred horses (trotters and pacers).”

The RSPCA has funded two studies into racehorse “wastage”. The studies were conducted at two of Australia’s leading universities. A 2008 study looked at horses at an abattoir, and found that 52.9% of the horses relinquished to that abattoir at the time of the study had racing brands (40% Thoroughbred, 12.9% Standardbred).

Records of the number of racing bred horses whose lives end in slaughter each year are not kept, which makes it difficult to get a clear picture of what is really going on. We can make an estimate however, using the results of the above study. The Australian Government states that between 30,000 and 40,000 horses are slaughtered in Australia each year.

This gives the following estimated ranges:

  • Thoroughbreds, between 12,000 – 16,000 horses slaughtered each year.
  • Standardbreds, between 3,870 – 5,160 horses slaughtered each year.
There are many wonderful people working hard to rehome thoroughbreds and standardbreds, but as you can see from the above estimates, it is a big job and more key figures involved in racing need to step up and get involved in rehabilitation and rehoming programs in order for more racehorses to have a future. 

Read more:

Use of the Whip in Races

The sight of whips being used on horses in races is a definite negative for many spectators. Comments such as “it’s cruel” and “if you hit any other animal like that it would be illegal” are not uncommon, and with social media these days these sorts of comments seem to be causing more people to reflect on the practice. The industry has made changes to whip rules in recent times, such as the introduction of padded whips, however this has done little to ease the concerns of those who are against their use.

Investigation into the use of whips in races has also cast considerable doubt on the arguments used to support the continuation of their use, with a recent research finding that whipping racehorses was not a significant predictor of which horse would win. Another recent finding was that there were breaches of the whip rules being missed by the stewards, with horses being hit in the wrong place and in an incorrect manner.

You can watch a 30 minute video presentation about this research on the ABC’s Big Ideas website.

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Racing Horses at a Young Age

The racing of young horses, particularly two year olds, is a subject that can cause passionate debate. Horses that are not physically mature enough to stand up to training and racing are more likely to suffer injuries, and this in turn makes a horse more likely to become another “wastage” statistic.

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Horse Health and Care

Race horses that are not fit and healthy are not going to win races, and those involved in racing sometimes, understandably, get defensive when issues relating to the care of these horses come up. Familiar comments include “racehorses are looked after better than any other horses in the country” and “we love our horses, how dare anyone say we don’t”.

Complicating this issue is the normal difference of opinion among horse people as to how horses should be cared for. For example, the issue of stabling horses for long periods is one likely to raise a few differences of opinion, from those who think it’s perfectly fine, to those who say all horses should be kept in large paddocks with other horses, as is the natural way that horses live in the wild. A wide range of opinions between those two points also exists.

Here are a few of the commonly discussed issues relating to horse care:

  • Is money coming before health and welfare in some cases? For example, are veterinary and care decisions made with regard to the horse’s health and welfare foremost, or with the aim of getting the horse back on the track to race? (Many people will be familiar with human athletes, eg. football players, who push their bodies beyond what normal people would do, because they are so passionate about their sport. The key difference here is that humans have a choice to do this to themselves, and horses do not)
  • The finding that gastric ulcers are present in a large proportion of racing thoroughbreds
  • Widespread “stable vices” also known as “stereotypies” ~ windsucking, crib biting, weaving, etc. Presence of one or more of these behaviours is an indicator of poor welfare in a particular horse.

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Jumps Racing

Jumps racing no longer takes place in most Australian states, however Victoria and South Australia continue to run a season of hurdle and steeplechase races each year. The rate of falls and deaths of horses in jumps races is considerably higher than for flat racing. Jumps racing was banned in NSW due to cruelty concerns, and the sport died out in all other states of its own accord due to the public no longer supporting it. Many organisations have publicly stated their opposition to jumps racing on horse welfare grounds, including RSPCA Australia, Animals Australia, Quest Equine Welfare, Save a Horse Australia, the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses and the Humane Society International Australia.

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The above is merely a brief overview of each of these issues. Please click through to the links, they are included as a starting point for your own research into each topic. As you will find, there is plenty of information out there once you start looking for it.

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