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NSW BREEDERS’ UPDATE Winter / Spring 2019
THOROGHBRED FOR PURPOSE
WHEN DID WE DECIDE A THOROUGHBRED WAS JUST A RACEHORSE? Article | J Christopher - photos courtesy of TTNSW, TSHA, TARC
How we perceive the Thoroughbred and its role/purpose as just a racehorse is a journey most of us could reflect on. Perception starts with us and can be changed by us. In the current climate we need our industry to unite in becoming stronger not weaker, before the court of public opinion changes it for us. The ABC story was horrendous, the actions of those abattoir employees is disgraceful, investigation and regulation must be enforced to stop this cruel behaviour. No animal deserves to be treated in this manner. However, abattoirs are not controlled by the racing industry, they are regulated by state governments and are privately owned. But let’s be very clear, the small minority of people involved in the mistreatment of these horses are not participants in the great thoroughbred industry we support.
Eventing
Show Riding
Thoroughbred for Purpose
The overwhelming majority of thoroughbred industry participants love their horses. Retired racehorses & broodmares return to the paddock and/or breeding barn, younger horses to a new career, as in any industry as large as ours, a small minority may bring an entire industry into disrepute. This is being addressed but suggestions by the ABC and some of their viewers that the whole racing industry is to blame is as prejudiced as it is inaccurate. Where is the regulation and accountability regarding media reporting? Who is holding them accountable? People are so quick to jump on the boycott racing bandwagon. Horses and human beings have relied on each other for thousands of years, in one of the greatest symbiotic relationships in human history. Horses had many purposes including transport, warfare, industry, agriculture, racing, riding and recreation. Human dependence on the horse has diminished since the industrial revolution making Thoroughbred racing one of the last great testaments to one of mankind’s greatest achievements, horsemanship.
