British Horse Racing Launches Free Welfare Training

In the time that the sport is undergoing both political and public scrutiny, British horse racing has launched several free online courses that are targeted at raising the care standards for racehorses. The BHA and the HWB led the way with this announcement. The 10 modules of e-learning delivered by the two organizations focus on the animal welfare training of horses. Those who have a job within the area of horse racing courses or breeding of the Thoroughbred horses in Britain can get these modules free of charge. They are intended to provide basic knowledge on horse management and health to the users.

On the Racing2Learn platform, the courses supported by top veterinarians and financed by the British Horse Racing Foundation are made available. The HWB says that the modules provide information on various subjects that are involved in daily horse care, such as feeding, stable management, veterinary instruction, and the early recognition of health problems. The organisers believe that by eliminating the cost of the training, they will be able to attract a wider audience of grooms, trainers, breeders, and other staff who work with horses directly.

The transference demonstrates an exertion of the equestrian industry to elevate the professional qualifications throughout the entire range of the sport, said Baroness Minette Batters, the independent chair of the Horse Welfare Board. “So that the racehorse is supplied with the highest possible care, it is quite imperative that all those who have the horse in their care possess the required knowledge, skills, and implement the best practices,” she stated. “The concept of welfare has changed, and, therefore, we must provide all the people involved in the sport with the newest equine care and animal welfare training. This opportunity would not be available if it were not for the great support of the Racing Foundation, to whom we are very thankful.”

The launch comes during a period of heightened political tension for British horse racing. The government is considering changes to gambling duties that the betting sector cautions might cause a dramatic reduction in their revenues. The head of the British horse racing sector has made the case that increasing the tax on bookmakers might result in a fall in the money allocated for prizes, giving rise to the loss of employment, thus having a wider impact on livery yards, breeding, and racecourses. In this context, leading with a well-being program is still deemed necessary to retain voters’ confidence and support from politicians.

Animal-rights groups, however, remain unconvinced. PETA UK issued a sharp response, stating that “no amount of welfare courses will change the fact that horses will suffer in horse racing course” and labelling the sport “a national disgrace.” The organisation states that despite better care, the animals are still in danger of getting injured during the training, from accidents at the racetrack, and from the strenuous nature of competition. PETA voices the opinion that genuine safety for horses would entail a radical reconfiguration of the sport rather than the current piecemeal approach of reforms.

Industry figures counter that meaningful improvements can and do make a difference to the lives of racehorses. The animal welfare training Board’s wider strategy, branded “A Life Well Lived,” sets out long-term objectives to improve aftercare, reduce injury rates, and provide support for horses when their racing careers end. The new training modules form part of this larger plan, which also includes research on track surfaces, injury prevention, and retirement programs.

The Racing Foundation, which funds welfare initiatives through profits from the UK’s former statutory betting levy, provided financial backing to develop the courses. Its trustees described the project as a practical step that aligns with the sport’s goal of continuous improvement in equine care. The organisers set out to make the material available online and free of charge in order to target minor stables and breeding operations which are unlikely to have access to the regular training program.

The British horse racing industry supports a huge number of workers who are employed in the stables, as riders, and people involved in breeding, and many of them spend long hours working under hard conditions. Leading figures from the industry maintain that while top-class training resources may seem to be of direct benefit to the animals, in fact, by offering the employees current knowledge and consistent standards, they also promote the workforce. The Racing2Learn platform, which was launched during the pandemic, already hosts a variety of modules on safety, health, and professional development.

Though the argument between the sport and its challengers continues, the announcement of the welfare courses indicates that the sector is trying to provide real evidence of change. The question whether these attempts will change people’s views is still open, but the new materials are an important step forward for the people who take care of racehorses, as they can use them to update their knowledge and make their work easier.

The coming months will test how the sport balances its economic concerns with the continuing demand for higher welfare standards. As government decisions on betting duties approach, British horse racing is keen to present itself as an industry willing to invest in the well-being of the animals at its heart.