Our dedicated Writers Group assist in all kinds of campaigns to help protect racehorses. Below is a letter sent to the Victorian Racing Club (VRC) and the Environment Protection Authority Victoria to help speak up for the horses who are subjected to additional stress and anxiety from the loud events being held on Flemington Racecourse next to the stables where racehorses are contained.
This writer received an interesting response from the VRC. Their Chief Executive Officer claimed their veterinarian on site “has never been required to attend to a horse within the stabling precinct during an event and we remain in constant dialogue with trainers on the needs of their horses.”
As such, VRC refer to the veterinarian and trainers of the horses while ignoring the detailed witness statements that was given to the Guardian by the stablehands – VRC’s own employees – who in addition were too scared of repercussions for speaking out that they couldn’t have their names printed.
To whom it concerns,
I am writing to your office on the recent article written in the Guardian regarding horse welfare at Flemington when other events are being held.
In an effort to bolster VRC income to compensate for falling attendances horses are now subjected to loud music when they should be resting.
Thoroughbreds are sensitive intelligent animals that have, like other breeds, a fight or flight response to stress. Their response to the loudness of the music and the strong bass notes is to panic.
I have known trainers in the past to have quiet, appropriate classical music playing. It is interesting to note that in the film ‘A horse called Winx’ the well- known trainer Chris Waller insists on quiet in his stables with no shouting or loud music. This is for the horses to have calm rest in between their exercise.
The reports of horses being “out of control”, “going berserk” and being “distressed” have been made by staff who are genuine in their care for the horses. It is noted these complaints were done anonymously which sadly leads one to think they are worried about retaliation from the VRC.
The VRC’s hiring of the racecourse to these music events, despite their constant stand on how good their welfare policies are, appear to show no consideration to the horses or even the trainers or staff.
The VRC also do not appear to be concerned about interfering with the amenity of the area for the nearby residents.
The racing industry subjects these exquisite animals to totally abnormal conditions, such as being continually stabled with no day yards. They are fed hard feed with a lack of appropriate roughage leading to stomach ulcers.
Despite other equestrian disciplines not allowing horses to compete until they are four years old, the racing industry campaigns baby two year olds for the quick profit turnover, knowing full well their unformed legs and skeleton cannot cope with the punishment and concussion of racing.
And now on top of all this, the Flemington horses are subjected to a further unnatural environment having to tolerate annoying equipment such as ear plugs and hoods.
If horses have to be stabled for any reason, it is still important that their routines should be maintained quietly without any interruption of noise or stress. Being a herd animal they are all affected by each other reaction.
My letter is to register another complaint about the VRC’s absence of care for these horses
Yours sincerely,
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