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Thoroughbreds As Therapy Horses: A Study Into The Welfare Of Horses Who Help People

A new study will examine the selection, training and welfare of thoroughbred horses as they transition from racetrack to therapy horse. The pioneering project, led by academics at the University of Bristol's Veterinary School in collaboration with Racing to Relate, will develop a recognized global welfare standard for former racehorses who are moving into Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT).

Thoroughbreds are recognized for their sensitivity and this project will provide a research-based approach to retraining them for therapy work. EAT careers could include work with a diverse group of people, from veterans and disabled children to those struggling with mental health issues. The research, which is funded by the John Pearce Foundation, is the first of its kind to study EAT across many countries and will look at practices in the UK, USA, France and Ireland, to understand the impact of EAT on the horses.

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Claire Neveux, Bristol Vet School PhD student for the project, said: “I have worked with Thoroughbreds for about 20 years, mainly with broodmares and young horses, and I have always been amazed by their high reactivity and sensitivity. I'm also fascinated by the human-horse relationship. I had a few opportunities to participate in Equine Assisted Therapy programs as an intern during my graduate studies. That's why, when I met Jennifer Twomey from Racing to Relate, I took the opportunity to be part of this pioneering and collaborative project, and I'm thrilled to contribute to this research. I'm convinced that a better understanding of the thoroughbred personality traits and suitability of horses for EAT is essential for equine and human welfare.”

The main aim of the research is to create a create a global standard for selection and training, to help the racing industry to improve welfare support for off-track racehorses going into a career in EAT. The research will help industry and stakeholders to improve Thoroughbred welfare through a successful transition to their new career in EAT.

Little research has been carried out on the welfare of horses within EAT programs, and especially on the impact it may have on their wellbeing. In particular, this research will analyze the educational process for all horses within the EAT sector, to gain a clearer picture of why and how horses are selected for particular roles. The aim is to fully understand the current selection and training methods within the sector and identify specific characteristics of the thoroughbred, which are suited to a career in EAT. The study will also explore details of the life and routine of equines within EAT, examining existing perceptions and considerations of horse welfare.

Dr. Mathilde Valenchon, Research Fellow at the Bristol Vet School and co-supervisor of the PhD project, added: “I am delighted we successfully developed this research project to understand and facilitate the involvement of ex-racehorses in EAT activities. I have been studying equine behavior, cognition and welfare for the past 12 years. I have always been impressed by the thoroughbred's sensitivity and adaptability. I am thrilled to contribute to a better knowledge of their suitability for EAT and the development of standards, as this will significantly and positively impact the horses' welfare, as well as people's. I am especially proud that our research includes the horse's perspective.”

Dr. Siobhan Mullan, Senior Research Fellow at Bristol Vet School and co-supervisor of the PhD project, said: “Thoroughbred horses involved in EAT programs are performing a really special and valuable role in society, and yet little formal research has been done to understand how to optimize their welfare throughout their transition from racehorse to therapy horse and in the course of their new career. I'm heartened by the interest around the world in using the results of our research to develop standards which will have a long-lasting impact on horse welfare.”

UC Davis Standing Equine PET Scanner Now In Use At Golden Gate Fields

The UC Davis standing equine positron emission tomography (PET) scanner is officially in use at Golden Gate Fields racetrack in Berkeley, CA, providing imaging at the molecular level to monitor racehorse health and guide training and medical care. The scanner (the MILEPET from LONGMILE Veterinary Imaging) allows for imaging of a horse's leg while under mild sedation, eliminating the time, cost, and health risks associated with general anesthesia. In use at the UC Davis veterinary hospital since March, the instrument has been transported by a team of UC Davis veterinarians and technicians to the equine hospital at Golden Gate Fields once a week for the past month.

Dr. Mathieu Spriet, the equine radiologist who pioneered equine PET, is very enthusiastic about this new development. “Running the PET scanner at Golden Gate Fields brings multiple benefits,” said Spriet. “First, it provides Northern California horseracing with the same technology that has helped improve racehorse health and safety in Southern California. Second, it demonstrates that the equine PET scanner can be efficiently transported and shared between multiple sites, reducing costs and increasing availability. And finally, it opens the door to more research opportunities with performing multicenter studies.”

This achievement was made possible thanks to support from the UC Davis Center for Equine Health and the Stronach Group, owners of the Golden Gate Fields racetrack. Both parties have been intimately involved with the development of equine PET. The Center for Equine Health was at the origin of the very first equine PET performed in Davis in 2015 and has since supported the development of the modality by funding several research projects as well as a clinical program. The Stronach Group has had a key role in the last two years by providing partial support to develop the first scanner allowing imaging of standing horses in an effort to prevent catastrophic breakdown in racehorses.

The original MILEPET, owned by the Southern California Equine Foundation with support from the Stronach Group, has been in use at Santa Anita Park since December 2019. In a year and a half, over 200 horses have been imaged with the scanner, several on multiple occasions. Research projects supported by the Grayson Jockey Club and the Dolly Green Research Foundations have helped characterize the value of PET scanning in racehorses. The PET scanner is ideal for imaging the fetlock (the horse's ankle), which is the most common site for catastrophic injuries in racehorses. The first research study performed at Santa Anita demonstrated that PET was far superior to bone scan, another imaging technique in use at the racetrack, for identifying injuries in the sesamoid bones (the small bones at the back of the ankle). Two subsequent studies demonstrated the value of PET to monitor injuries while healing and joint health as horses go back into training.

The use of PET at Santa Anita, in combination with the use of MRI and medication rule changes, is one of several factors that have led to a marked decrease in the number of fatalities between 2019 and 2020. Based on this success, the Stronach Group was eager to offer the same technology at Golden Gate Fields. The proximity to UC Davis offered a unique opportunity to utilize the scanner at both sites. It is currently available at the UC Davis veterinary hospital four days a week and one day a week at Golden Gate Fields. The relative small size (4 x 5 feet, 300 lbs) and mobility of the scanner make it possible to load in a trailer, drive the hour from Davis to Berkeley, and start scanning about 30 minutes after arriving at the racetrack.

To date, 36 horses have been scanned in the first six weeks of operation at Golden Gate Fields. All scans are performed by a UC Davis team led by Dr. Mathieu Spriet and a Golden Gate Fields team, led by Dr. Casille Batten, veterinarian for the Stronach Group. All four fetlocks of a horse can be imaged in 15 to 30 minutes. A new barn was built at the Golden Gate Fields equine hospital specifically for the PET horses, making it possible to scan six horses in one imaging session. Up to 12 horses can be imaged in one day. Two projects, one evaluating horses with injuries and the other assessing horses with no signs of injuries, are ongoing with the support of the Oak Tree and Dolly Green Research Foundations. Both studies aim at comparing findings from horses imaged at Golden Gate Fields with those imaged at Santa Anita. As the two sites use different types of race surfaces, (i.e. synthetic at Golden Gate Fields and dirt at Santa Anita), these studies will help document and compare the effect of the different surfaces on the horses' bones.

Global Views: Ideas to Ease the Workforce Crisis

In Global Views, Godolphin Flying Start trainees provide insight into practices experienced and observations taken on their worldwide travels. First-year trainee Devon Dougherty looks at ways in which the worldwide Thoroughbred industry is addressing its workforce crises.

A dwindling labor force will suffocate the American industry if the current climate does not change. How will we continue to race and breed Thoroughbreds in America when there is no viable workforce left? This question has long weighed on my mind. The racetrack was practically in my backyard growing up, as I lived only a mile away, and I was a weekly racegoer. However, from a young age, it was apparent to me that there was a stark contrast between myself and the others at the track. The typical fan, owner, trainer, and stable employee were easily double my age. As I have gotten older and worked as an assistant trainer and more recently as a trainee in the Godolphin Flying Start programme, the reality has remained the same: those in the business in America are getting older, and not enough qualified horsemen are entering the game. The cry for more employees can be heard from coast to coast, from trainers to farm managers alike. Many trainers have recalled futile attempts to obtain and retain employees, and now are struggling greatly due to the increasing strain of ICE immigration laws, visa bans, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The issue is truly universal; as the sport battles other issues, this one has been worsening in plain sight across all facets of the industry.

Most farms and tracks in America rely predominantly on an immigrant workforce to satisfy its needs and to care for horses. But in recent times, non-American employees have dwindled in numbers. This population has been hindered due to new immigration laws, which have included I-9 investigations and the possibility of ICE barn raids, leading to a growing fear within this population and a struggle to employ immigrants up to standard. Moreover, the H2-B visa program began to come under pressure “when the federal government suspended all permits for foreign workers wanting jobs in the United States in June of 2020.” This has made it increasingly difficult to address the staffing crisis. As the lack of willing and skilled horsemen from the American population continues to decline, it is unlikely that vacant jobs will be filled. Extreme working conditions, long hours, low wages, and the danger inherent in working with Thoroughbreds also stack up against the sport. The average day caring for horses in America starts before dawn, and the days prove to be long and taxing. The working conditions can be harsh, with no relief from inclement or extreme weather. On top of that, entry level workers may not be experienced enough to handle Thoroughbreds due to lack of access to skills training and will be overwhelmed and leave to find a lower-risk job elsewhere. Few days off and lack of holiday vacations could drive newcomers away. Finally, the hardest sell to most new hires or potential employees in the industry is the low wages, often around minimum wage, and lack of benefits offered to most workers.

Being selected for the Godolphin Flying Start course has been a great privilege and stepping stone to my educational experience in the global Thoroughbred industry. Thus far in the course I have been able to witness different industry models in Ireland and in England. Moreover, I have learned a great deal about the initiatives brought about by professionals in these countries to attempt to add breadth and depth to the global workforce. Additionally, I have gained an insight into Godolphin's charitable initiatives team and their efforts to bring issues to the forefront and to offer long-term goals and solutions for pressing industry matters.

During these trying times, perhaps the United States should seek to follow the lead of other industries that are striving and making headway to maintain employment levels. In 2020, Horse Racing Ireland released Employment Guidelines for those seeking new hires and to lessen employee turnover. Among the major points, HRI highlighted a section on “managing people and the employment relationship,” which included wage guidelines, weekend working hours, holiday hours, and sick leave, among other topics. In addition, HRI implemented several new programmes to enhance employment as well. Most notably, they have launched Equuip, which is the education and training department within their corporation. They have initiated a “Work in Racing” entry level employee training program, for those needing to learn the practical skills necessary to enter an entry level position working with horses. In comparison, the American industry has worked to bring newcomers into the business though programs such as the Kentucky Equine Management Internship and the North American Riding Academy, which are both based in Kentucky, and most recently, Amplify Horse Racing.

A major turning point in the conversation of U.S. labor issues came during Godolphin's Forum for Education Discovery Day. This event took place on November 2019, in Newmarket, England, and included several leading industry nations, such as France, Ireland, Japan, and England. Global industries converged to discuss the health and well-being of our sport. Among the conversation points, the U.S. noted their challenges to include “a workforce shortage, along with industry fragmentation, a declining foal crop, and public perception.” Similar workforce issues were echoed by Australia and France as well. As a result of this forum, the U.S. representation highlighted the need for “a national equine workforce coalition,” which could help to assuage the pressure put on managers and trainers to fulfill everyday duties. Like the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act, which will add national uniformity to the rules and regulations of horse racing from coast to coast, the workforce in American racing, breeding, and bloodstock could benefit from a similar system as well.

New solutions must come to the forefront to ensure the health of our Thoroughbred horses. Trainers and farms will be forced to downsize if the labor force cannot accommodate the scale of our sport. We are reaching our breaking point as an industry, from ICE immigration laws, travel bans during the COVID-19 pandemic, non-competitive working conditions with other American jobs, and the lack of recruitment avenues for new hires. A national body to oversee and improve working conditions is the first step to add awareness and to entice newcomers to enter our industry. A national representative body to recruit and monitor employment needs for industry entities would provide relief to those who are struggling to keep our industry thriving. The employment crisis is not going away in America, and time is of the essence to bring positive change to our employment system.

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Local Trainer Hoping to Revitalize Racing in Antigua, Build a New Track

There has not been any racing in Antigua since June, 2019, and when it does return it will be contested at a bare-bones track that is too small, too narrow and doesn’t drain properly. There’s no certainty that racing in Antigua can survive, which is why a local horseman named Hansen Richards is behind an ambitious plan to build a new track on the Caribbean island.

“After all the work I have done, I cannot sit back and do nothing,” the trainer said. “I want to put horse racing in Antigua on the map.”

That won’t be easy. Richards is not a wealthy man and racing in his country is overrun with problems. But he believes he can find investors to help him fulfill his dream. He wants a new track to be the centerpiece of a multi-purpose facility that would include restaurants, shops, beach condos, a marina and, eventually, a casino. He has already found the land for the project, 377 acres that is valued at $32 million. The project would be similar to what the China Horse Club did when building a racetrack in Saint Lucia.

All Richards needs now is someone with deep pockets.

“I want to find an investor who can see the vision I have going forward,” he said.

Richards works as a customs inspector and trains as a hobby. He grew up poor and in a neighborhood where crime was a problem. He is inspired by the thought that his project could create jobs for his fellow countrymen.

“I was raised up in the ghetto,” he said. “I look at this as an opportunity to raise standards of living for my community and for my friends. Unfortunately, some of them have lost their lives to violence. I made a vow I would make our society better and provide some jobs and programs out of the horse racing industry.”

He originally wanted to play professional basketball at some level, but reversed course and started training in 2007. In Antigua, it’s not a job where anyone can expect to make a living, but there are people like Richards who are so passionate about the sport that they’ll dedicate many hours a week to training.

He is also working on creating a stud book for horses bred in Antigua. That would allow them to race in other Caribbean countries and, perhaps, in the U.S.

They’ve been racing at Cassada Gardens Race Track since 1964, running anywhere from 12 to 20 dates a year. Richards’ father was an owner, trainer and breeder and he brought his son to the track a time when he racing was a popular pastime on the island.

“The tradition is that it was a family affair to go to the races,” Richards said. “You’d get an average of 6,500 to 7,000 people at the races in the ’80s and ’90s. The people in Antigua love horse racing.”

Richards said that since racing reached its peak in Antigua, interest in the sport has dwindled and now a typical crowd might be 2,500. He said that one of the reasons is that little has been spent on upkeep or improvements and fans don’t want to spend the afternoon in what he says is a rundown Cassada Gardens facility.

The problem has only been compounded since June, 2019, when the final leg in the Antigua Triple Crown series was run. A spate of wet weather that began last summer caused racing to be canceled for the remainder of 2019 because the track was not fit for training. COVID-19 has kept the track closed this year. A possible re-opening in December has been mentioned by officials of the Antigua Turf Club.

But Richards doesn’t see Cassada Gardens as the future of Antiguan racing. It is lacking in many basic amenities and the racetrack itself is a 5 1/2-furlong track that is just 40 feet across and can’t handle a lot of rain.

“Our major issue of concern is the racing surface,” he said. “It has always been an issue and when you have inclement weather the horses cannot exercise.”

Another issue is the purses. They are so small that owners have little incentive to invest in horses. Richards said an average purse would be in the neighborhood of $800 U.S. Normally, Antigua gets most of its horses from places like Puerto Rico and Florida.

“It cost $6,000 U.S. to fly horses here from Miami,” he said. “That is a lot of money when you look at the purses. I do not encourage anyone to purchase horses to run here. I do it because I love it and I know what I am getting into.”

With a new racetrack, he sees Antigua simulcasting its product to other countries, picking up additional sponsors and increasing the amount of money brought in by gate receipts. There’s also the possibility of having a casino help fund purses.

Richards has created the company Mecke Development Corporation and has given himself the title of Managing Director. For now, it is little more than a concept. But its head executive is enthusiastic, driven and has a plan. He sees great potential for horse racing in his country and says he will do what it takes to ensure its future.

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