Though Japan's Thoroughbred industry is smaller than that of the United States, both face similar issues, including the question of what to do with racehorses when they retire from racing. Japan has approximately 7,000 Thoroughbred foals born each year. Per the Japan Racing Association, any horse that hasn't won at least one race by the middle of their 3-year-old year must retire from racing.
The JRA has subsidies in place to support high-end retiring racehorses, but maintaining a retired racehorse still costs between $600 to $1,000 per month. The Japan Times reports that previously, those that did not qualify for these were “culled,” which often means they were sent for slaughter. Horse slaughter is legal in Japan.
In 2018, the JRA launched a program that focuses on finding retired racehorses second careers and improving their environment when they retire. The JRA is investigating new ways to support Thoroughbred aftercare, with particular focus on programs that allow children to learn from OTTBs.
The Japan Times notes that it remains difficult to find the physical facilities or skilled personnel to support a robust aftercare initiative in that country.
Read more at the Japan Times.
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