Elle
Mar 18th 2025
Likes
Share:
The Raceday is viewed as perhaps the most exciting event in British horse racing and a gathering for its competitors and fans. And while most eyes are focused on the sporting action, the welfare of the horse is paramount. For each horse’s well-being before, and after a raceday of the British Horse Racing Authority has established strict measures to ensure the proper conditions laid down with horse welfare in mind.
Recently, a fresh video released by British Horse Racing featured Sally Taylor, Head of Equine Regulation, Safety & Welfare Department, and Amy Hawthorn, British Horse Racing Veterinary Officer. The ladies provide a course of detailed procedures that all work at The number one place where care quality is maintained, including pre-raceday examination, a thorough review of medication records, and ongoing monitoring throughout raceday.
All horses in contention for a race start with a pre-race physical examination where they are evaluated by veterinary officers for lameness, illness, or any other condition that could detract from their welfare status on race day. In British horse racing, they form an important component of safe-keeping the horse and ensure that only fit and healthy horses race. This process helps protect both the horses and jockeys while upholding welfare standards in the sport.
In case of any doubts, horses ought to be withdrawn from any competition to avert all risks involved. This vetting process is a manifestation of animal welfare coming ahead of the competition. Only horses that pass these examinations are given a go for the raceday.
Trainers must submit a full report on any treatments or medications given to their horses before the event. Veterinary professionals carefully examine these records to confirm that all entries meet racing regulations.
Strict anti-doping policies help maintain fairness and protect horse health. The regulations ensure that horses do not receive prohibited substances, supporting both integrity in the sport and the well-being of the animals.
Veterinary officers and racecourse officials monitor each horse’s condition during a raceday. They observe for signs of fatigue, stress, and discomfort, and take quick action if required.
After the raceday, horses undergo further checks to support their recovery. Cooling-down routines, hydration support, and post-race evaluations help identify any concerns. If necessary, veterinary teams provide immediate treatment.
The actions at Cheltenham mirror those of British Horse Racing in its increased effort to maintain high standards of welfare. Resources like Horse PWR, an online portal devoted to Thoroughbred care, dive deeper into industry endeavors to promote equine well-being.
The ongoing advancements of veterinary studies, health monitoring, and horse safety continue to the improvement of horse welfare. The sport keeps strong horse welfare in the spotlight through detailed examinations, strict controls on medication use, and dedicated post-race care of the horses that made the sport possible.
In this build-up towards the Cheltenham Festival, such an act adheres to its safety rules with horses. Emphasis action has ensured that participating horses are given the very best care, thus demonstrating their continued commitment to horse safety and excellence.