E-MAIL:        secretary@arvs.org.uk

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November 2018

    British Racing – Firing and Blistering Survey - BHA seek your opinion The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) have proposed and passed recommendations regarding firing and blistering. At present, the BHA has not signed up to either recommendation. As the Director of Equine Health and Welfare for the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and your representative for British racing on the IFHA Welfare Committee, David Sykes has written to equine veterinary surgeons that are involved in treating racing thoroughbreds in the UK to ask whether you would support either, or both, of these recommendations. Mr. Sykes said: "Following the focus placed on racehorse welfare during the

   

  • Research by University of Exeter shows that horses see better and may jump differently over white and yellow obstacles compared to the orange currently used on hurdles and fences
  • Recommendation to trial the use of fluorescent yellow for all hurdles and guard-rails, and fluorescent white for take-off boards at fences approved by Racecourse Committee
  • Trial will be rolled out first at training yards before being used in a live racing environment, and has the objective of making jump racing safer for horse and rider
  • Research to be shared with other jurisdictions and equine pursuits