Tag: Horse Care

The Morris Animal Foundation is now accepting proposals for studies focused on equine behavior related to health and wellness.

“This call for proposals provides researchers the opportunity to take a closer look at behavior issues that impact the health of equid species,” said Dr. Janet Patterson-Kane, Morris Animal Foundation Chief Scientific Officer. “We recognize the importance of behavior as a component of animal health and overall welfare. This call will advance our knowledge of equine behavior, with a particular emphasis on guiding interventions and improving well-being.”

Proposals should focus on improving the lives of horses by increasing our understanding of the behavioral domain. This includes areas such as cognition, learning, stereotypes, separation anxiety, affiliative behavior toward (bonding with) humans, equine psychopharmacology, and the effects of equine temperament on welfare. Proposals may involve domesticated or wild horses.

The maximum project duration is 12 months, and the budget cannot exceed $10,000 USD. Indirect costs are not permitted for this RFP.

This Donor-Inspired Study is generously funded by Dr. Wendy Koch, who has supported the Foundation for more than 30 years. Dr. Koch has closely followed equine behavior and welfare research and regretted that specific funding available in these fields has been minimal. Working with Morris Animal Foundation, she decided to create a fund with such a focus.

All proposals submitted to Morris Animal Foundation in response to this RFP will undergo administrative and scientific review by a Scientific Advisory Board. Interested researchers can find additional information, including award types and funding levels at Morris Animal Foundation Apply for a Grant.

About Morris Animal Foundation
Founded in 1948, Morris Animal Foundation is one of the largest nonprofit animal health research organizations in the world, funding more than $142 million in critical studies across a broad range of species. Learn more at morrisanimalfoundation.org.

The post Morris Animal Foundation Announces Funding Opportunity For Equine Behavior Research appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) announced Tuesday that is has partnered with Ride iQ, the innovative app that gives its members access to hundreds of on-demand audio lessons taught by world-class equestrians.

Ride iQ has developed a series of lessons called “Thoroughbred Fundamentals Presented by the RRP” designed specifically for riders of off-track Thoroughbreds, targeting early training sessions in the horse's transition from racing to riding sports. More lessons specific to OTTBs are in production now.

Education is a major tenet of the Retired Racehorse Project's mission, and the organization seeks to empower more equestrians and encourage them to choose Thoroughbreds for recreational riding and competition. The partnership with Ride iQ helps to provide a critical service to equestrians starting out with their own Thoroughbreds who may not have ready access to coaches or trainers at home.

“We're proud to partner with Ride iQ to bring Thoroughbred-centric content to its users,” said RRP executive director Kirsten Green. “We know that the right amount of education is essential for riders in creating successful and positive working relationships with their Thoroughbreds, and we're pleased to deliver another resource in support of that. Particularly in economic climates like we're currently experiencing, traveling for lessons and training is likely to be an early sacrifice for riders needing to trim their budgets. Ride iQ offers an innovative solution for riders in that situation and beyond.”

Ride iQ lessons are designed to be listened to while riding or working with the horse, offering instruction and guidance in real time from top equestrians in a range of disciplines. New lessons are added weekly, and Ride iQ is continuing to expand its offerings to new disciplines and new coaches. The on-demand format is intended to make quality instruction affordable and accessible to all riders. Ride iQ subscribers get additional access to educational materials, including weekly Office Hours conversations with coaches, available to download as podcast episodes.

“Ride iQ's mission is to increase access to correct and compassionate instruction to make horses' and humans' experiences together as enjoyable and productive as possible,” said Ride iQ co-founder Jessa Lux. “OTTBs are such special horses, and they deserve a specific training approach to help them transition from the track to their next riding discipline. RRP has connected us with incredible coaches who have extensive experience training OTTBs—these coaches are sharing their training programs on Ride iQ through a series of audio lessons. One of my early event horses was an OTTB mare, and I have a big place in my heart for the breed. I'm so thrilled that Ride iQ can provide added support for people on their own journeys with OTTBs.”

To learn more about Ride iQ's Thoroughbred content presented by the Retired Racehorse Project, please visit ride-iq.com/2022/07/19/ride-iq-rrp-partnership/.

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) is a 501(c)3 charitable organization working to increase demand for off-track Thoroughbreds in the equestrian world. In addition to producing the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium the world's largest and most lucrative retraining competition for recently-retired racehorses, the organization also publishes Off-Track Thoroughbred Magazine, produces the Master Class retraining clinic series, and presents programming at major horse expos and events around the country. The RRP maintains an educational library of content to empower more equestrians to ride a Thoroughbred.

Ride iQ is the first audio-focused training platform for equestrians and offers something completely new: the opportunity to get on-demand, listen-while-you-ride instruction. The private Ride iQ mobile app features 300+ lessons with options suitable for equestrians at every level. Ride iQ has 20+ coaches across hunter/jumper, eventing, and dressage disciplines including Leslie Law (British eventer, individual gold medalist), Lauren Sprieser (Grand Prix dressage rider), Doug Payne (Olympic eventer, Grand Prix jumper), and several others. The app also has sports psychology sessions, rider fitness videos, natural horsemanship groundwork lessons, exclusive podcasts, and more. Membership is $29.99/month or $249/year, and every membership includes a 2-week free trial. Use code RRP15 for $15 off the first membership payment, valid through August 2022. Search “Ride iQ” in the iPhone or Android app store or visit Ride-iQ.com for more information.

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The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) will host the Saratoga Community Booth for Whitney Stakes Day on Aug. 6.

Patrons are encouraged to stop by the community booth to learn about the organization's mission from Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance representatives, and to make a donation in exchange for a variety of racing memorabilia and TAA swag.

Racing fans can also show their support by opting to donate to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance throughout the Saratoga meet when cashing a winning ticket on an AmTote International self-service betting terminal. All donations are tax deductible.

On the Whitney undercard, horses will don NYRA-donated Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance saddle towels for a race named in honor of the TAA. In the winner's circle after the race, the TAA will present awards to the best turned out horse and winning groom and connections.

“The Saratoga Community Booth is a great opportunity for racing fans and participants alike to learn more about the TAA,” said TAA President, Jeffrey Bloom. “We are also honored to have the TAA represented with a race on the Whitney Day card. NYRA has been an invaluable stakeholder to the TAA for many years and we're excited to continue the tradition of celebrating accredited aftercare on Whitney Day.”

The New York Thoroughbred industry is a leader in aftercare, donating more than $1.28 million toward racehorse retirement every year. In addition to the contributions made by NYRA, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA), the New York Thoroughbred Breeders (NYTB), the NYRA jockey colony, and individual owners and trainers, two ground-breaking programs have been implemented at the NYRA tracks: owners contribute a per-start fee for every horse that races, and they pay a surcharge on every horse claimed out of a NYRA race. Those two programs alone raise about $500,000 every year.

“The work of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is of the upmost importance to the New York Racing Association,” said NYRA Senior Vice President of Racing Operations, Frank Gabriel Jr. “We're thrilled to highlight such a worthy organization on one of Saratoga's biggest days of racing.”

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On Friday, the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission reported on progress of its Equine Safety and Welfare Plan, a list of tangible steps to increase protections for horses racing at Pennsylvania's six tracks. The measures, which the commission began implementing March 1, 2022, included an Integrity Hotline for reporting suspected illegal or unethical behavior.

“Early results from the hotline and other measures have been promising and reinforce the thorough consideration that went into developing the action plan,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, who chairs the commission. “Implementing the strategy will be a long-term effort. The commission is committed for the long haul to protecting the integrity of the sport and the safety and welfare of the horses and participants.”

The development of an equine fatality database was among the plan's 10 measures. Thoroughbred fatalities from April 1 – June 30 were 30 in 2021 and 17 in 2022. Fatalities to date in 2022 include 10 at Parx Racing in Philadelphia, five at Penn National in Dauphin County, and two at Presque Isle Downs in Erie County.

Harness racing fatalities included three in 2021 and two during the same period in 2022 – one at The Meadows in Washington County and one at Pocono Downs in Luzerne County.

Other new measures included an independent, third-party analysis of the racing surfaces at each track. No racing surface issues were flagged as a result of the analysis.

As a result of increased commission veterinary oversight of morning workouts, eight horses were placed on the veterinarians' list and deemed ineligible to race. As a result of enhanced post-race supervision and stricter criteria, 17 horses were placed on the veterinarians' list and six horses were retired from racing.

Five horses were deemed ineligible to race in Pennsylvania based on the new rule providing for the disqualification of any horse that finished 12 or more lengths behind the winner in five consecutive starts.

The Integrity Hotline received 51 calls from March 1 through June 30. Every call is investigated and referred for action as warranted. Ten calls are pending investigation and 41 alleged issues have been closed. No fines or penalties have been issued as a result of issues alleged in calls.

Allegations at Thoroughbred tracks accounted for 32 calls, including unethical conduct by race officials and horsemen, use of illegal devices by a jockey, unethical treatment of horses, unauthorized ingress or egress by horses, wagering irregularities, and monetary disputes.

Among 17 allegations made regarding Standardbred race tracks were incorrect decisions by judges, unethical conduct by horsemen and training center officials, unethical treatment of horses, licensing concerns, and administration of performance enhancing medications.

Two calls without a specific location included an allegation of unethical treatment of horses, and a question about standardbred racing.

Tips can be reported to the hotline anonymously at any time by leaving a detailed message at (717) 787-1942.

More information about the Pennsylvania State Horseracing Commission can be found at agriculture.pa.gov.

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