Horse Racing Ireland host first equine welfare symposium
Horse Racing Ireland’s Equine Welfare Department are hosting their first welfare symposium ‘Changing stride - the way ahead for horse racing safety and care’ in the Keadeen Hotel and the Curragh Racecourse on Friday May 24.
The symposium reflects the key goal in the new HRI strategic plan 2024-2028 to cultivate a culture of zero compromise in equine care and safety standards.
The event will feature a wide range of speakers and discussion panellists, focusing on veterinary and scientific innovation to protect and promote equine care and safety.
John Osborne, Equine Welfare and Bloodstock Director at Horse Racing Ireland, said: “Our first symposium will be an interactive conversation on safety and care. We are looking forward to hearing from our eminent speakers, pointing to so much exciting change in the way we care for our horses. Of equal importance is hearing the thoughts and opinions of our attendees.”
Tickets are €50 and include meals, refreshments on the day and entry to the Curragh Racecourse for an eight-race card to kick-start Tattersalls Irish Guineas weekend.
Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.hri.ie/equine-welfare-symposium
SESSION 1: Chaired by John Osborne
8.30 - 9am - Registration, tea and coffee
9 - 9:10am - Introduction and welcome Suzanne Eade, HRI CEO
9.10 -9.40am - The human factor - human behaviour change and equine welfare Tamzin Furtado, PhD Postdoctoral Research Associate and Lecturer in Human Behaviour Change for Animal Welfare at University of Liverpool
9.40 -10.10am - Giving horses the best start in life, Orla Doherty, Vet and founder of the Animal Behaviour Clinic
10.10 -10.20am - Q&A, Tamzin Furtado and Orla Doherty
SESSION 2: Chaired by Dr Vivienne Duggan, Associate Professor in Equine Clinical Studies at University College Dublin
10.40 - 11.10am, A Day in the life of a racehorse
Rachel Annan, PhD Equine Technologist, The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE)
11:10 - 11.40am - Pre-race inspections - what we do, what can we do better?
Graham Adams, Deputy Head of Veterinary Operations, Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB)
11.40 - 11.50am - Q&A, Rachel Annan and Graham Adams
SESSION 3: Chaired by John Osborne
11.50 - 1.15pm - What’s the story?
Potential solutions from industry
Presentations From: Race IQ, Sleip, Equine MediRecord, Equitrace, Equimetrics
1.15 - 2pm- Lunch and trade stands
SESSION 4: Chaired by Michael Sheahan, Director of Veterinary Operations, Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine
2pm - 3.15pm -The tack room: interactive panel discussion
Mark MacRedmond, Veterinary Surgeon at Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital, Tamzin Furtado, Graham Adams
3.15 - 3.30pm - Conclusion
John Osborne
4pm: Interactive/behind the scenes session at The Curragh Racecourse, followed by racing.