RCA Welcomes Horse Welfare Board Strategy

The Racecourse Association today welcomes the release of the independent Horse Welfare Board’s strategy A Life Well Lived.

The strategy will serve as a long-term focus for the sport in implementing and communicating welfare measures taken to ensure the highest standards of care continue to be provided for the whole life of horses bred for racing.

The detailed, wide-ranging strategy was commissioned by the sport’s stakeholders and developed by an independent group upon which the RCA, on behalf of all racecourses, was represented by veterinary advisor Simon Knapp and Racecourse Services Director Caroline Davies.

Key to its development was the use of data and an evidence-led approach to recommendations, of which there are 20 and a further 26 suggested workstreams. The RCA strongly advocates the strategy’s call for unity and recognises that all stakeholders hold an integral role in its implementation and future success.

David Armstrong, Chief Executive of the RCA, commented “The publication of the Horse Welfare Board’s strategy represents a significant moment for the sport.

“The process to develop the strategy was incredibly thorough and I’m delighted to see data used in such a conscientious way to give weight to certain arguments. My sincere thanks to the Horse Welfare Board for their dedication over the past months and to all racecourses for their unwavering support.

“The breadth of the strategy is such that we can be sure all elements of a horse’s life are given the attention they deserve, including on and off the racecourse. We look forward to working alongside the sport in adopting the recommendations and ensuring the fantastic level of care for our equine participants remains at the forefront of our minds as we look to reaffirm our support from, and relevance to, the British public.”