ifha horse welfare committee an introduction to the committee and its initial plan of work
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IFHA Horse Welfare Committee An Introduction to the Committee and its initial plan of work. Tim Morris Chairman October 4 th 2010. Terms of Reference. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
IFHA Horse Welfare IFHA Horse Welfare CommitteeCommittee
An Introduction to the Committee and its initial plan of An Introduction to the Committee and its initial plan of workwork
Tim Morris Chairman
October 4th 2010
1IFHA Horse Welfare Committee
Promote best practice, harmonisation and information exchange across Racing nations in all matters as they relate to the welfare of the horse, including establishing general guidance on and standards for the care and safety of horses
Raise awareness amongst participants and third parties of horse welfare and establish permanent contact with welfare organisations;
Work with the International Movements of Horses Committee and the Advisory Committee on Prohibited Substances and Practices
Terms of ReferenceTerms of Reference
2IFHA Horse Welfare Committee
Members
Prof. Tim MORRIS (UK)Dr. Mike ZIEGLER (US)Dr. Sadao YOKOTA (JPN)Dr. Craig SUANN (AU)Dr. Paul-Marie GADOT (FR)Dr. Brian STEWART (HK)
MembershipMembership
Ex-officio Members
Dr. W Theodore HILL (IGSRV)Dr. Roland DEVOLZ (IFHA)Mr. Aki AKITANI (IFHA)To be confirmed (ISBC)
3IFHA Horse Welfare Committee
Defining IFHAs ethical frameworkCo-ordination within the IFHAPrioritising and defining and welfare
issuesWork on whip use
Issues and recommendationsIssues and recommendations
4IFHA Horse Welfare Committee
Welfare Concerns
RetirementInjuryMedication
abuse
Ensuring Racing focuses on Ensuring Racing focuses on Animal Welfare not Animal RightsAnimal Welfare not Animal Rights
Rights Concerns
WhipsTwo year old racingFatalities
Importance
Ethics - “accepted principles of right and wrong that govern conduct”
5IFHA Horse Welfare Committee
The IFHA should provide, in its International Agreement, sufficient details to make clear the ethical framework that underpins its commitment to horse welfare, and such principle should not be unduly prescriptive so as to recognise the cultural political and legislative diversity of signatory Authorities. The Horse Welfare Committee will make proposing such a framework a priority, to ensure subsequent specific recommendations are coherent, co-ordinated and relevant to the IFHA approach to horse welfare.
Recommendation 1Recommendation 1
6IFHA Horse Welfare Committee
Cold compression: This may be considered a welfare issue, as it might mask injury, but also possibly to be prohibited, as cold is a non-pharmacological analgesic.
Behavioural modification: Aversive procedures to allow stall entry may be considered a prohibited practice, but may also be considered a welfare issue
Disease may have welfare implications
Welfare issues overlap:Welfare issues overlap:ACPSP, IMHCACPSP, IMHC
7IFHA Horse Welfare Committee
Where appropriate (i.e. relevant issues are being discussed) the Horse Welfare Committee should work closely on such issues with, in particular, the Advisory Council on Prohibited Substances and Practices and also the International Movement of Horses Committee, and vice versa. It should also coordinate with other committees as required, such as the Committee for the Harmonisation of raceday rules and the International Stud Book Committee.
Recommendation 2Recommendation 2
8IFHA Horse Welfare Committee
Prioritising Welfare IssuesPrioritising Welfare IssuesRetired/Unwanted Horses
◦Whips◦Medication (+ Physical Tx)◦Minimising Injury (Injury Reporting, Obstacles
Safety, Surfaces, Two year old racing)
◦Education/Horsemanship◦Suitability for race◦Role of Racing Vet
Guidelines for mistreatment Ethical sustainability Soundness examinations
Importance
9IFHA Horse Welfare Committee
The Horse Welfare Committee will focus its initial work on retirement / management of unwanted horses, use of whips, medication and physical treatment and minimising injury in racehorses as the initial horse welfare issues of broad international relevance. In particular there will be an initial focus on the use of whips.
Recommendation 3Recommendation 3
10IFHA Horse Welfare Committee
Whip useWhip use
11IFHA Horse Welfare Committee
No welfare assessment No clear overall statement on
acceptability Poor communication of why
and how whips are used Article 11 not related to an
ethical framework No scientific basis for
harmonised specifications Minimal engagement with
welfare organisations
The Horse Welfare Committee will develop a clear statement on whips, defining conditions for its use within a wider ethical framework, with consideration on design and usage, respecting variations in approach internationally, and proposing an approach to improve public understanding of whip use.
Recommendation 4Recommendation 4
12IFHA Horse Welfare Committee