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IFHA Horse Welfare Committee An Introduction to the Committee and its initial plan of work

IFHA Horse Welfare Committee An Introduction to the Committee and its initial plan of work. Tim Morris Chairman October 4 th 2010. Terms of Reference.

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IFHA Horse Welfare Committee An Introduction to the Committee and its initial plan of work

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  1. IFHA Horse Welfare CommitteeAn Introduction to the Committee and its initial plan of work Tim Morris Chairman October 4th 2010 IFHA Horse Welfare Committee

  2. Terms of Reference • Promote best practice, harmonisation and information exchange across Racing nations in all matters as they relate to the welfare of the horse, including establishing general guidance on and standards for the care and safety of horses • Raise awareness amongst participants and third parties of horse welfare and establish permanent contact with welfare organisations; • Work with the International Movements of Horses Committee and the Advisory Committee on Prohibited Substances and Practices IFHA Horse Welfare Committee

  3. Membership Members • Prof. Tim MORRIS (UK) • Dr. Mike ZIEGLER (US) • Dr. Sadao YOKOTA (JPN) • Dr. Craig SUANN (AU) • Dr. Paul-Marie GADOT (FR) • Dr. Brian STEWART (HK) Ex-officio Members • Dr. W Theodore HILL (IGSRV) • Dr. Roland DEVOLZ (IFHA) • Mr. Aki AKITANI (IFHA) • To be confirmed (ISBC) IFHA Horse Welfare Committee

  4. Issues and recommendations • Defining IFHAs ethical framework • Co-ordination within the IFHA • Prioritising and defining and welfare issues • Work on whip use IFHA Horse Welfare Committee

  5. Ensuring Racing focuses on Animal Welfare not Animal Rights Welfare Concerns • Retirement • Injury • Medication abuse Importance • Rights Concerns • Whips • Two year old racing • Fatalities Ethics - “accepted principles of right and wrong that govern conduct” IFHA Horse Welfare Committee

  6. Recommendation 1 • The IFHA should provide, in its International Agreement, sufficient details to make clear the ethical framework that underpins its commitment to horse welfare, and such principle should not be unduly prescriptive so as to recognise the cultural political and legislative diversity of signatory Authorities. The Horse Welfare Committee will make proposing such a framework a priority, to ensure subsequent specific recommendations are coherent, co-ordinated and relevant to the IFHA approach to horse welfare. IFHA Horse Welfare Committee

  7. Welfare issues overlap:ACPSP, IMHC • Cold compression: This may be considered a welfare issue, as it might mask injury, but also possibly to be prohibited, as cold is a non-pharmacological analgesic. • Behavioural modification: Aversive procedures to allow stall entry may be considered a prohibited practice, but may also be considered a welfare issue • Disease may have welfare implications IFHA Horse Welfare Committee

  8. Recommendation 2 • Where appropriate (i.e. relevant issues are being discussed) the Horse Welfare Committee should work closely on such issues with, in particular, the Advisory Council on Prohibited Substances and Practices and also the International Movement of Horses Committee, and vice versa. It should also coordinate with other committees as required, such as the Committee for the Harmonisation of raceday rules and the International Stud Book Committee. IFHA Horse Welfare Committee

  9. Prioritising Welfare Issues Importance • Retired/Unwanted Horses • Whips • Medication (+ Physical Tx) • Minimising Injury (Injury Reporting, Obstacles Safety, Surfaces, Two year old racing) • Education/Horsemanship • Suitability for race • Role of Racing Vet • Guidelines for mistreatment • Ethical sustainability • Soundness examinations IFHA Horse Welfare Committee

  10. Recommendation 3 • The Horse Welfare Committee will focus its initial work on retirement / management of unwanted horses, use of whips, medication and physical treatment and minimising injury in racehorses as the initial horse welfare issues of broad international relevance. In particular there will be an initial focus on the use of whips. IFHA Horse Welfare Committee

  11. Whip use • No welfare assessment • No clear overall statement on acceptability • Poor communication of why and how whips are used • Article 11 not related to an ethical framework • No scientific basis for harmonised specifications • Minimal engagement with welfare organisations IFHA Horse Welfare Committee

  12. Recommendation 4 • The Horse Welfare Committee will develop a clear statement on whips, defining conditions for its use within a wider ethical framework, with consideration on design and usage, respecting variations in approach internationally, and proposing an approach to improve public understanding of whip use. IFHA Horse Welfare Committee

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