The Senate Select Committee Report on Animal Welfare (1991) Equine Welfare & Endurance - Part 2
Note this is a historical piece continuing on from Part 1 of the same name. The Inquiry took place some time ago in 1991, but the message is clear and still relevant today. Endurance as a sport cannot afford to become complacent with regard to horse welfare issues.
How did endurance come to be part of this Report?
Equine endurance riding could easily be interpreted as an extreme equine sport, with horses travelling a set distance over varying terrains with time constraints. Competitive events range in distance from 80km to 160km in one day and up to 400km over five days. The AERA thought it was thought best to supply submissions and undergo scrutiny in a measured and timely way rather than take a "head in the sand" attitude & be asked to "please explain" at a later date.
Views on Endurance Rides
At the time of the Report, the animal welfare organisations consulted did not identify any major problems. However, the RSPCA was conditional on their advice. They only approved if Endurance Rides were carried out under strictly supervised conditions.
These were:
1. Only suitable, trained and fit horses be allowed to compete
2. Experienced veterinary surgeons were engaged to examine all horses prior to the event and to regularly monitor them throughout the event. These veterinary examinations be conducted in strict accordance with published criteria set by the AEVA (Australian Equine Veterinary Association)
3. No competitor should permit a horse to be exposed to unnecessary or excessive stress.
Equine Fatalities
The Inquiry noted that the submissions & evidence provided did not address the issue of fatalities in endurance riding.
On questioning it was found that there had been 25 horse deaths in the last fifteen years (1976-1991), with 9 of them occurring in 1990. It was cited that 40% of these deaths, 10 horses, were due to "exhausted horse syndrome" caused primarily by the abuse of riders. Twenty-five percent were deaths due to broken legs or other injuries, 6 horses; 25% from worm damage, 6 horses, and 10% were unknown, 3 horses. Now, my math isn't that fabulous but to me that only adds up to 21 horses so there were 5 left unaccounted, either the information provided or the Report, were incomplete.
Any wonder subsequent information was requested by the Committee which actually indicated that 34 horse deaths had occurred nationally since 1976. Of these: 24 (NSW), 4 (Qld), 4 (Vic), 1 (SA) and 1 (Tas).
This situation was regarded as unacceptable by the Committee, their concerns heightened because of the emphasis already on veterinary supervision & control.
The focus of the Committee hearings then shifted to examining ways in which the welfare of horses in endurance rides might be improved.
Areas identified where improvement might be made:
1. Novice & unfit horses
2. Training Rides
3. Rider Education
4. Cardiac Recovery Index (CRI); and
5. Veterinary supervision
Novice & Unfit Horses
One of the possible reasons given for the increase in horse deaths was that it was due to relatively inexperienced horses ridden by experienced riders. Those horses were referred to as "novice horses". The Committee also considered that the horses involved may not have been prepared well enough and were unfit.
They were disturbed that the completion rate was 65% until it was explained to them that the horses were eliminated on the whole before they got into trouble. Apparently, according to those interviewed, lameness was not a real cause for concern i.e. it has nothing to do with fit horses or over-riding but usually caused by a kick or a fall. It was explained that most cases of lameness were usually not long lasting.
Training Rides
Training rides were explored as an option to train and educate endurance riders although there was some concern that these rides might attract more unfit horses and inexperienced riders. It was noted that the veterinary procedures for Training Rides were more stringent than other competitions. The horse expected to recover to a lower heart rate at all veterinary checks.
Cardiac Recovery Index
The Early Warning System was mentioned as a monitor for serial offenders. Penalties including counselling, demotion to novice status and disqualification. Another measure of stress mentioned was the Cardiac Recovery Index (CRI) which formed part of the veterinary assessment in North America at the time. The CRI is indicative of lack of cardiac reserve which in combination with other parameters is an excellent tool to monitor physiological stress.
Veterinary Supervision
The RSPCA advised that the veterinary parameters for endurance rides were "adequate". However veterinary surveillance needed to be strict and meticulous. They supported successive veterinary checks as a means of detecting and treating problems as they arose.
There was great concern that some veterinarians officiating at events were not familiar with endurance riding. It was admitted that "some of the recent ride fatalities may have been in part due to the inexperience on the part of the veterinarian." Although, it was thought that now veterinarians were being paid on a professional basis the standard of treatment could be expected to improve.
It also was suggested that the increase in deaths might be attributed to recent reductions in veterinary supervision. This apparently was to do with modifying the rules to international standards (presume this alluded to FEI competition).
What were the Senate Committees conclusions and recommendations? To be continued.
How did endurance come to be part of this Report?
Equine endurance riding could easily be interpreted as an extreme equine sport, with horses travelling a set distance over varying terrains with time constraints. Competitive events range in distance from 80km to 160km in one day and up to 400km over five days. The AERA thought it was thought best to supply submissions and undergo scrutiny in a measured and timely way rather than take a "head in the sand" attitude & be asked to "please explain" at a later date.
Views on Endurance Rides
At the time of the Report, the animal welfare organisations consulted did not identify any major problems. However, the RSPCA was conditional on their advice. They only approved if Endurance Rides were carried out under strictly supervised conditions.
These were:
1. Only suitable, trained and fit horses be allowed to compete
2. Experienced veterinary surgeons were engaged to examine all horses prior to the event and to regularly monitor them throughout the event. These veterinary examinations be conducted in strict accordance with published criteria set by the AEVA (Australian Equine Veterinary Association)
3. No competitor should permit a horse to be exposed to unnecessary or excessive stress.
Equine Fatalities
The Inquiry noted that the submissions & evidence provided did not address the issue of fatalities in endurance riding.
On questioning it was found that there had been 25 horse deaths in the last fifteen years (1976-1991), with 9 of them occurring in 1990. It was cited that 40% of these deaths, 10 horses, were due to "exhausted horse syndrome" caused primarily by the abuse of riders. Twenty-five percent were deaths due to broken legs or other injuries, 6 horses; 25% from worm damage, 6 horses, and 10% were unknown, 3 horses. Now, my math isn't that fabulous but to me that only adds up to 21 horses so there were 5 left unaccounted, either the information provided or the Report, were incomplete.
Any wonder subsequent information was requested by the Committee which actually indicated that 34 horse deaths had occurred nationally since 1976. Of these: 24 (NSW), 4 (Qld), 4 (Vic), 1 (SA) and 1 (Tas).
This situation was regarded as unacceptable by the Committee, their concerns heightened because of the emphasis already on veterinary supervision & control.
The focus of the Committee hearings then shifted to examining ways in which the welfare of horses in endurance rides might be improved.
Areas identified where improvement might be made:
1. Novice & unfit horses
2. Training Rides
3. Rider Education
4. Cardiac Recovery Index (CRI); and
5. Veterinary supervision
Novice & Unfit Horses
One of the possible reasons given for the increase in horse deaths was that it was due to relatively inexperienced horses ridden by experienced riders. Those horses were referred to as "novice horses". The Committee also considered that the horses involved may not have been prepared well enough and were unfit.
They were disturbed that the completion rate was 65% until it was explained to them that the horses were eliminated on the whole before they got into trouble. Apparently, according to those interviewed, lameness was not a real cause for concern i.e. it has nothing to do with fit horses or over-riding but usually caused by a kick or a fall. It was explained that most cases of lameness were usually not long lasting.
Training Rides
Training rides were explored as an option to train and educate endurance riders although there was some concern that these rides might attract more unfit horses and inexperienced riders. It was noted that the veterinary procedures for Training Rides were more stringent than other competitions. The horse expected to recover to a lower heart rate at all veterinary checks.
Cardiac Recovery Index
The Early Warning System was mentioned as a monitor for serial offenders. Penalties including counselling, demotion to novice status and disqualification. Another measure of stress mentioned was the Cardiac Recovery Index (CRI) which formed part of the veterinary assessment in North America at the time. The CRI is indicative of lack of cardiac reserve which in combination with other parameters is an excellent tool to monitor physiological stress.
Veterinary Supervision
The RSPCA advised that the veterinary parameters for endurance rides were "adequate". However veterinary surveillance needed to be strict and meticulous. They supported successive veterinary checks as a means of detecting and treating problems as they arose.
There was great concern that some veterinarians officiating at events were not familiar with endurance riding. It was admitted that "some of the recent ride fatalities may have been in part due to the inexperience on the part of the veterinarian." Although, it was thought that now veterinarians were being paid on a professional basis the standard of treatment could be expected to improve.
It also was suggested that the increase in deaths might be attributed to recent reductions in veterinary supervision. This apparently was to do with modifying the rules to international standards (presume this alluded to FEI competition).
What were the Senate Committees conclusions and recommendations? To be continued.
Comments
Post a Comment