Validating a Thoroughbred Racehorse Welfare Index through Horse Behaviour and Trainers’ Reports of Welfare Issues in Their Horses

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Currently, no comprehensive horse welfare assessment system exists for Thoroughbred racehorse establishments in Australia, or anywhere in the world. We investigated the reliability of a welfare index that we developed from expert reports on major welfare issues. First, we observed the behaviour of racehorses in a range of training stables and found relationships to the index scores. Second, we surveyed horse trainers to understand how well they provided for the various welfare issues covered in the index. We conclude that the index could be used, with further validation, to evaluate and compare the welfare standards of training stables for their racehorses. ABSTRACT: We validated a Thoroughbred racehorse welfare index, developed initially from expert opinion, by relating it to horse behaviour recorded in a range of training stables and surveying trainers to investigate the environment and management systems for Thoroughbred racehorses. Relationships between the index scores and horse behaviour were observed. Then, an Australia-wide survey of racing industry stakeholders was conducted to identify which parameters are important for welfare in a training stable. Trainers performed well on horsemanship and health/disease aspects. Provisions for ventilation, transportation and nutrition were also scored at high levels. However, provisions for weaning, wastage, assisting horses in coping with heat stress, stabling and the education of racehorses were not as well covered, indicating a need for improvement in these welfare issues. We concluded that our Thoroughbred Racehorse welfare index is able to discriminate between trainers offering differing levels of welfare for the major issues in racehorse training stables.