With the Cheltenham Festival commencing, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) desires to emphasize their unwavering dedication to ensuring the well-being and protection of racehorses. They take immense pride in the exceptional level of care provided to these equine athletes, both during and after their time on the course.
Throughout Britain, a dedicated workforce exceeding 6,000 individuals diligently attends to the needs of over 20,000 racehorses on a daily basis. The BHA has made substantial investments in research and educational programs to continuously enhance equine welfare, allocating a significant sum of over £47 million (equivalent to a remarkable $36.3 million) over the past two decades.
At Cheltenham, they are implementing comprehensive measures. A team comprising nine veterinarians, three veterinary nurses, six equine ambulances, and six horse handlers are on constant alert. Furthermore, each horse undergoes a mandatory veterinary examination before being granted permission to participate in a race. The BHA maintains rigorous standards for horse welfare, enforcing stringent regulations and disciplinary protocols that all individuals involved in the sport are obligated to adhere to.
Past the British Horseracing Authority’s endeavors, a specialized equine welfare council manages 26 programs focused on enhancing the lives of racing thoroughbreds, with a collective investment of £5.5 million actively backing 21 of these undertakings.
Tackling the critical element of racehorse post-career transition, the Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) organization offers a vital resource for these equine competitors, guaranteeing their health and happiness well beyond their time on the track.
In a more lighthearted vein, Cheltenham witnesses the debut of a novel horse racing-centric bingo game, a joint effort between Oddschecker and Low6, introducing an enjoyable element for racing aficionados.
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