Advancing equine safety and welfare

The International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities (IFHA) recently concluded its Global Summit on Equine Safety and Technology at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Canada, from June 12-14. The Summit brought together approximately 90 international experts including research scientists, clinicians, veterinarians, and racing regulators from 13 countries. The primary focus of the Summit was to advance equine safety and welfare through scientific research and technological innovations.

Jim Lawson, an Executive Council Member of IFHA, highlighted the Summit's significance in advancing the Federation's commitment to equine welfare. He emphasised that scientific research and technology are pivotal in safeguarding equine athletes, and the Summit provided a platform to discuss and build upon global research efforts.

Key workshops during the Summit were dedicated to critical issues such as fracture prevention and exercise-associated sudden death (EASD). Dr. Christopher Riggs, Director of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Equine Welfare Research Foundation, chaired the fracture prevention workstream. He emphasised that the Summit was a crucial starting point for enhancing detection methods for horses at risk of injury, emphasising collaboration across the global racing industry.

Dr Celia Marr, Associate Veterinary Specialist at Rossdales Equine Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, chaired the EASD workstream and highlighted the collaborative efforts stimulated by the Summit. She expressed optimism about the innovative research presented and its potential to positively impact equine welfare in the future.

Moving forward, the outcomes from the Summit will be reviewed by the IFHA Executive Council. The Council aims to develop recommendations for IFHA members on mitigating the risks associated with fractures and EASD in equine athletes. The Summit received support from institutions like Cornell University's Harry M. Zweig Memorial Fund for Equine Research, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Equine Welfare Research Foundation, and Woodbine Entertainment Group, underscoring the broad collaboration and support within the racing community towards advancing equine welfare.

Overall, the IFHA Global Summit on Equine Safety and Technology represents a significant milestone in promoting research-driven initiatives to enhance the safety and well-being of horses involved in racing worldwide.