World Horse Welfare And Team GB Eventers Proud Of The High Welfare Standards Of The Equestrian Games Starting Tomorrow At Greenwich

Olympic First Horse Inspection. Credit Kit Houghton & FEI. The horses competing at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will benefit from the preparations that have been made to ensure their fitness and welfare when the equestrian competitions begin tomorrow, some of which – such as the cooling of the horses - have been developed with help from World Horse Welfare. The charity has released a short film featuring interviews with Team GB eventers William Fox-Pitt and Nicola Wilson speaking about the welfare preparations for the Olympics here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpJMw5nmc4A World Horse Welfare chief executive Roly Owers said: “We are pleased with the Fédération Equestre Internationale’s (FEI) and LOCOG’s preparations ahead of the Olympics and Paralympics and we know both organisations take the welfare of horses competing in the Games very seriously. “We are confident that the Games have been prepared with the horses’ safety, welfare and comfort as the top priority, and it will be fantastic to see these top equine and human athletes compete on an international stage in the centre of London.” World Horse Welfare has worked as an independent welfare advisor to the FEI for more than 30 years, helping to draft its code of conduct, which places the welfare of the horse above all other considerations, commercial or competitive. “World Horse Welfare wants everyone to know how much preparation has gone into ensuring the welfare of the equestrian athletes at the Olympics. These competition horses are some of the best cared for in the world - in part because of the high welfare standards of the FEI,” said Roly. Team GB eventer Nicola Wilson agreed, saying: “We all know the extreme lengths that we go to to make sure [our horses are] looked after in the best possible way, but people outside the sport, or outside the horse world perhaps aren’t aware of the lengths that we go to. So I think it’s important that we let them into our world a little bit so they can see how special and how important the horses are to us.” The welfare preparations for the Olympics are like that at any other FEI competition and include:

• Systems to protect the safety of horses while they compete
• Regular checks, fitness assessments, and clean sport achieved through stringent anti-doping protocols
• The FEI have a world class team of veterinary experts in place
• Excellent veterinary care throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games just as at FEI events around the world
• State of the art horse ambulance

“Then of course there are welfare considerations in the course design, the tack, the surfaces, transportation and temperature control in the stables or cooling after a competition which all need to be considered as well,” explains Roly. Team GB eventer William Fox-Pitt concurs: “I think that Greenwich Park is a beautiful park, but if we had a very hot spell it could heat up there so it is something that we’re looking into, making sure that we can cool the horses quickly and efficiently, and stop the stables from getting too warm. That is something that’s been looked into and the stables will be pretty comfortable.” Roly Owers said: “It’s so important to keep on top of temperatures. World Horse Welfare was closely involved in the Animal Health Trust research project on how to cope with the heat and humidity challenges of the Atlanta 1996 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We also supported the update of this research in advance of the Beijing Games. This means we now have cooling techniques that are used across international horse sport – and will be used in London. “When horses compete in sport, a heavy burden of responsibility for their welfare rests on the shoulders of those who own, train, ride and care for them. It is vital for the reputation and future of equine sports that horses are well-looked after and protected from unnecessary risks, and we want people to know how much is being done in that regard.”

More from

• IVC Evidensia assembles expert team to run new £10m referral hospital
• Home delivery service can increase pet health plan sign-ups by 25%
• Research reveals vital clues to help fight anthelmintic resistance
• Lifetime Achievement Award recognises Harrogate vet’s dedication to improving the health and welfare of rabbits
• Bake sale at Leicestershire vet practice for good cause