Questionnaire about the welfare of horses in the racing industry

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Racehorse1

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I am currently conducting a research project into the welfare of horses in the racing industry. By completing this questionnaire you will be greatly helping me to gain a greater insight into how these horses are treated.

1. What connection do you have to horses?
2. Do you have any experience of the racing industry? (If so, please state
what, no matter how small)
3. Do you have first hand experience of dealing with racehorses?
4. Do you believe in horse racing?
5. How well on a scale of 1 to 10 do you feel race horses are treated
before their career? (1 being badly and 10 being well)
6. How well on a scale of 1 to 10 do you feel race horses are treated
during their career? (1 being badly and 10 being well)
7. How well on a scale of 1 to 10 do you feel race horses are treated
after their career? (1 being badly and 10 being well)
8. How do you think the care of racehorses could be improved?
9. When injured do you believe racehorses are given the best chance
of recovery?
10. Do you believe in the rehabilitation of racehorses?
11. Would you take on a healthy retired racehorse?
12. Where are you from?
13. Approximately how many racehorse deaths are their from injury a
year, where you are from?
14. Do you know if this number has increased or decreased in recent
years?

If you have any other information or other questions that you feel would be beneficial for me to ask it would be greatly appreciated if you could let me know. Thanks :)

Read more: http://www.horseforum.com/horse-pro...e-horses-racing-industry-79352/#ixzz1FBa9Pfw3
 
1. What connection do you have to horses?
pleasure rider
2. Do you have any experience of the racing industry? (If so, please state
what, no matter how small)
no
3. Do you have first hand experience of dealing with racehorses?
no, have ridden some ex-racers though
4. Do you believe in horse racing?
yes
5. How well on a scale of 1 to 10 do you feel race horses are treated
before their career? (1 being badly and 10 being well)
6
6. How well on a scale of 1 to 10 do you feel race horses are treated
during their career? (1 being badly and 10 being well)
8
7. How well on a scale of 1 to 10 do you feel race horses are treated
after their career? (1 being badly and 10 being well)
4
8. How do you think the care of racehorses could be improved?
making sure all trainers are fair to the animals. making sure that they arent trained too hard, too young.
9. When injured do you believe racehorses are given the best chance
of recovery?
not really. it depends how good they are at racing. soemtimes i agree and that it is being kind to retire them, but they shouldnt PTS some of the horses
10. Do you believe in the rehabilitation of racehorses?
yes
11. Would you take on a healthy retired racehorse?
no, but only because i dont like TBs because i prefer the cobs that you dont have to ride everyday
12. Where are you from?
north east
13. Approximately how many racehorse deaths are their from injury a
year, where you are from?
not a clue
14. Do you know if this number has increased or decreased in recent
years?
i would guess and say that it has gone up. but not a clue
 
I shall pm you my answers. I have worked both in the UK and abroad with racehorses and sports horses. You will probably find a massive gap between those who work/ have worked with racehorse and those that have not.
 
1. What connection do you have to horses?
pleasure rider
2. Do you have any experience of the racing industry? (If so, please state
what, no matter how small)
none
3. Do you have first hand experience of dealing with racehorses?
no
4. Do you believe in horse racing?
yes
5. How well on a scale of 1 to 10 do you feel race horses are treated
before their career? (1 being badly and 10 being well)
9
6. How well on a scale of 1 to 10 do you feel race horses are treated
during their career? (1 being badly and 10 being well)
9
7. How well on a scale of 1 to 10 do you feel race horses are treated
after their career? (1 being badly and 10 being well)
5 I think some trainers will go out of their way to ensure they find suitable homes for their ex racers but of corse there are also those that cant be bothered wih the hassle although as a whole I think most in the UK are good people
8. How do you think the care of racehorses could be improved?
The only issue I have is the early racing age, but then I dont think anything should be seriously ridden until it is a 4yo. I believe that if the minimum race age was four, then the injury rate would decrease
9. When injured do you believe racehorses are given the best chance
of recovery?
well no not always but then you can say that about animals in any field of horse sports. For instance, if one of mine sustained an injury that meant they would require long term box rest then I would sooner pts than force them to endure being stuck in a box for months so some would argue that I do not give my horses the best chance at recovery and I imagine an extremely fit tb pumped full of heating feed would be bouncing off the walls stuck in!
10. Do you believe in the rehabilitation of racehorses?
most definately
11. Would you take on a healthy retired racehorse?
no i wouldnt, but thats because I dont feel I have the time or commitment for a tb
12. Where are you from?
Down South13. Approximately how many racehorse deaths are their from injury a
year, where you are from?
I wouldnt know
14. Do you know if this number has increased or decreased in recent
years?
dont know
 
8. How do you think the care of racehorses could be improved?
The only issue I have is the early racing age, but then I dont think anything should be seriously ridden until it is a 4yo. I believe that if the minimum race age was four, then the injury rate would decrease

While completing my dissertation for Science degree, there was evidence for and against training at an early age. In general the conditioning of the horse for the job it was going to do in the future was more beneficial than detrimental to the horse during its career. If you compare a yearling TB to a yearling warmblood they are very different and many warmbloods are broken in and ridden in a very artificial way at the age of 3.
 
Racehorse1 said:
1. What connection do you have to horses? Own two of my own

2. Do you have any experience of the racing industry? (If so, please state
what, no matter how small) Worked on a flat yard (exercise rider)and have ridden PTP horses

3. Do you have first hand experience of dealing with racehorses? Yes

4. Do you believe in horse racing? Yes

5. How well on a scale of 1 to 10 do you feel race horses are treated
before their career? (1 being badly and 10 being well) 7

6. How well on a scale of 1 to 10 do you feel race horses are treated
during their career? (1 being badly and 10 being well) 9

7. How well on a scale of 1 to 10 do you feel race horses are treated
after their career? (1 being badly and 10 being well) varies massively trainer to trainer but I will average at 5

8. How do you think the care of racehorses could be improved? Whilst in training and as youngstock I don't think there is any real problem. Possibly more turnout for in training horses but depends on the yard.

9. When injured do you believe racehorses are given the best chance
of recovery? Yes

10. Do you believe in the rehabilitation of racehorses? Yes

11. Would you take on a healthy retired racehorse? Yes, I've had a few!

12. Where are you from? The UK? Or more specific?

13. Approximately how many racehorse deaths are their from injury a
year, where you are from? I have no idea. Some whack job internet site is telling me about 400 a year on track but I couldn't even guess at a real number!

14. Do you know if this number has increased or decreased in recent
years? I would hope it has decreased

If you have any other information or other questions that you feel would be beneficial for me to ask it would be greatly appreciated if you could let me know. Thanks :)

Read more: http://www.horseforum.com/horse-pro...e-horses-racing-industry-79352/#ixzz1FBa9Pfw3
Click to expand...

I hope that is readable and makes sense. If you want me to clarify anything just shout me and I'll do my best :)
O and I agree. Public perception will probably be massively different from those who have worked in the industry.
 
1. What connection do you have to horses? have been riding for 10 years (since 7) have ridden a couple of ex-racers and had one on loan
2. Do you have any experience of the racing industry? (If so, please state
what, no matter how small) only riding ex-racers for a woman who rescued them
3. Do you have first hand experience of dealing with racehorses? again, ex-racers - rehabilitation work
4. Do you believe in horse racing? mixed feelings, i dont feel i know enough about the industry to give an honest opinion - but it does seem to mess horses up and often means they have to be put down, slaughtered etc..
5. How well on a scale of 1 to 10 do you feel race horses are treated
before their career? (1 being badly and 10 being well) 6
6. How well on a scale of 1 to 10 do you feel race horses are treated
during their career? (1 being badly and 10 being well) 7/8
7. How well on a scale of 1 to 10 do you feel race horses are treated
after their career? (1 being badly and 10 being well) varying depending on they're home - 1-10
8. How do you think the care of racehorses could be improved?
9. When injured do you believe racehorses are given the best chance
of recovery? no
10. Do you believe in the rehabilitation of racehorses? yes
11. Would you take on a healthy retired racehorse? yes, if i had the time and funds, as they can often be more expensive and highly strung
12. Where are you from? bristol
13. Approximately how many racehorse deaths are their from injury a
year, where you are from? not sure
14. Do you know if this number has increased or decreased in recent
years? dont know
 
If you are diong a study into their welfare this is a very poor way of going about it...
If it is a study on the perception of their welfare however? Possibly slightly better but still not great :/
 
1. What connection do you have to horses?
Pleasure rider
2. Do you have any experience of the racing industry? (If so, please state
what, no matter how small)
No
3. Do you have first hand experience of dealing with racehorses?
No, not while they've actually been racing.
4. Do you believe in horse racing?
Not really
5. How well on a scale of 1 to 10 do you feel race horses are treated
before their career? (1 being badly and 10 being well)
8
6. How well on a scale of 1 to 10 do you feel race horses are treated
during their career? (1 being badly and 10 being well)
8
7. How well on a scale of 1 to 10 do you feel race horses are treated
after their career? (1 being badly and 10 being well)
3
8. How do you think the care of racehorses could be improved?
Not trained while they are so young, more turnout
9. When injured do you believe racehorses are given the best chance
of recovery?
If they are good prospects and worth a lot of money, yes
10. Do you believe in the rehabilitation of racehorses?
Yes
11. Would you take on a healthy retired racehorse?
Yes, I've got one
12. Where are you from?
Northumberland
13. Approximately how many racehorse deaths are their from injury a
year, where you are from?
Don't know
14. Do you know if this number has increased or decreased in recent
years?
No

Good luck with your project
 
I would be very sceptical about answering anything of this nature from someone I dont know and might be someone from AnimalAid trying to gauge opinions from horsey folk.

For that reason I will not be filling in your questionaire and would ask other people to just stop and think before replying to something which might be used to damage the racing industry.
 
I cant think of anyway that this questionnaire would be of any use. Its incredibly poorly put together - I do hope its not for a dissertation!! It is difficult if not impossible to answer most of your questions concisely.
And ... "one being badly and 10 being well" - so what do 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 represent?

I want to answer it, I do. But I just cant.
 
Dobiegirl said:
I would be very sceptical about answering anything of this nature from someone I dont know and might be someone from AnimalAid trying to gauge opinions from horsey folk.

For that reason I will not be filling in your questionaire and would ask other people to just stop and think before replying to something which might be used to damage the racing industry.
Click to expand...

How could it possibly damage the industry? I don't think the racing industry cares much for activists or what general horsey people think. It's worth too much money to be hurt by some questionnaire on the internet surely?
 
1. What connection do you have to horses?
Always ridden, now taking eventers on
2. Do you have any experience of the racing industry? (If so, please state
what, no matter how small)
Friend works at tb stud
3. Do you have first hand experience of dealing with racehorses?
Only off the track
4. Do you believe in horse racing?
To a certain extent but now governed more by money than desire to breed good horses
5. How well on a scale of 1 to 10 do you feel race horses are treated
before their career? (1 being badly and 10 being well)
1 - seeing the youngsters getting prepped, put on walker lame, lunged lame, getting beaten for slight misdemeanours eg colts being fizzy (i know they need manners but not the way they get them), foals being knocked about. I believe more damage is done before racing than in it
6. How well on a scale of 1 to 10 do you feel race horses are treated
during their career? (1 being badly and 10 being well)
5 - better than prep because generally there is an owner to consider who may remove other horses if not happy (if they ever even find out)
7. How well on a scale of 1 to 10 do you feel race horses are treated
after their career? (1 being badly and 10 being well)
8 - locally they generally go through word of mouth though i did know a mare from the previous trainer who was put through the sales the day her box rest for a stress fractured pelvis as sold as seen - i really really hope no one rode her immediately
8. How do you think the care of racehorses could be improved?
Perhaps a simple thing like providing forage for them which would help reduce stomach issues. Also if flat racers were broken in to include trot they would perhaps be easier to reschool?
9. When injured do you believe racehorses are given the best chance
of recovery?
The vet treatment is generally good as horses are insured but unless they are talented and destined to go back to top level they are often left to find their own way (again i know of a wobbler yearling, couldnt go through sales but not bad enough to be pts which was required to get the insurance money. it has now been put into a race yard in the hope it will breakdown enough to be pts)
10. Do you believe in the rehabilitation of racehorses?
Yes but only with certain cases, some really are a lost cause having left racing for behavioural issues. a racehorse thrown out for going up and over several times is not suitable for rehab in my opinion.
11. Would you take on a healthy retired racehorse?
Yep, 2 at the mo, 1 jump, 1 flat
12. Where are you from?
South
13. Approximately how many racehorse deaths are their from injury a
year, where you are from?
I couldnt even guess as i think plenty have died after racing eg after failed rest which are not considered 'in training'
14. Do you know if this number has increased or decreased in recent
years?
Not sure
 
1. What connection do you have to horses?
I own and ride my own and other people's as I am a self employed groom/rider.
2. Do you have any experience of the racing industry? (If so, please state
what, no matter how small)
Ridden a few ex racehorses and a young point to pointer
3. Do you have first hand experience of dealing with racehorses?
Only ex racehorses
4. Do you believe in horse racing?
Yes, it is a sport in its own right
5. How well on a scale of 1 to 10 do you feel race horses are treated
before their career? (1 being badly and 10 being well)
7
6. How well on a scale of 1 to 10 do you feel race horses are treated
during their career? (1 being badly and 10 being well)
7
7. How well on a scale of 1 to 10 do you feel race horses are treated
after their career? (1 being badly and 10 being well)
5 - unless they end up in an experience home where they can be retrained as a riding horse they don't always get treated properly
8. How do you think the care of racehorses could be improved?
They should take more time to find them all experienced, caring homes after their racing career
9. When injured do you believe racehorses are given the best chance
of recovery?
No
10. Do you believe in the rehabilitation of racehorses?
Yes
11. Would you take on a healthy retired racehorse?
No, as I only have a paddock and wouldn't want it to live out all year round. Also, as they are mostly poor doers it would cost me a fortune in hard feed to keep the condition on it
12. Where are you from?
Leicestershire
13. Approximately how many racehorse deaths are their from injury a
year, where you are from?
I have no idea
14. Do you know if this number has increased or decreased in recent
years?
I don't know
 
I wouldnt think this would damage any bit of the racing industry. I've seen things that i was unhappy about and shouldnt happen. i've also seen stunning young horses coming out of yards. it works both ways, some yards are good, some arent. I feel that it is an important industry, provide jobs but that animals, esp horses are difficult to manage for profit and it is very much survival of the fittest meaning some horses inevitably fall by the wayside at each stage of their careers. Its how we deal with those horses that makes this acceptable.
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. What connection do you have to horses?
I own my own horse and am an ex racing groom
2. Do you have any experience of the racing industry? (If so, please state
what, no matter how small)
worked in racing on and off for the last 17 years
3. Do you have first hand experience of dealing with racehorses?
yes rode them daily
4. Do you believe in horse racing?
Yes, it is a sport in its own right
5. How well on a scale of 1 to 10 do you feel race horses are treated
before their career? (1 being badly and 10 being well)
10
6. How well on a scale of 1 to 10 do you feel race horses are treated
during their career? (1 being badly and 10 being well)
10
7. How well on a scale of 1 to 10 do you feel race horses are treated
after their career? (1 being badly and 10 being well)
1- unless they end up in an experience home where they can be retrained as a riding horse they don't always get treated properly
8. How do you think the care of racehorses could be improved?
They should take more time to find them all experienced, caring homes after their racing career
9. When injured do you believe racehorses are given the best chance
of recovery?
yes
10. Do you believe in the rehabilitation of racehorses?
Yes
11. Would you take on a healthy retired racehorse?
yes
12. Where are you from. york
13. Approximately how many racehorse deaths are their from injury a
year, where you are from?
I have no idea
14. Do you know if this number has increased or decreased in recent
years?
I don't know
27-02-11 09:12 PM
Rebels Re: Questionnaire about the welfare of horses in the racing industry
 
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