Yellow makeover to help horses see jumps in horserace trial

A study has shown the orange framework on the right-hand fence is actually seen as a shade of green by horses as in the left image

Fences and hurdles in British racing are set for a major makeover after it was discovered horses see the obstacles differently to humans.

At present, the framework for the jumps is painted orange but research has shown horses see the colour as a shade of green.

Horse racing authorities have now agreed to try fluorescent yellow and white markers to aid visibility.

A trial at training grounds will take place before any on-course changes.

Research at the University of Exeter - funded by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and Racing Foundation - showed horses adjusted their jump angles when orange was not used, with white tending to produce a longer total jump distance.

Ian Popham, a Grade One-winning former jockey who was involved in the research, said: "From riding over the different coloured fences it was clear to me that over some colours the horses reacted differently and showed the obstacle more respect.

"I'm sure other riders will feel the same and this feels like a great idea and opportunity to make the sport safer for both horses and jockeys."

What will the changes look like?

The BHA has decided to trial a mix of a yellow framework with white take-off boards

The BHA said horses cannot distinguish between as many colours as humans. The animals "differentiate objects in a palette of blues and yellows" and it is therefore hoped a change from orange on obstacles will "maximise visibility".

A trial using fluorescent yellow for hurdles and guard-rails with a fluorescent white for take-off boards at fences, will now take place at training venues in order to gather more data.

BHA figures show the rate in fallers at British races has declined by 29% since 2004 because of safety improvements.

David Sykes, director of equine health and welfare for the BHA, said: "As with the ongoing phased introduction of our padded hurdles - which have proven to reduce faller and injury rates - we will ensure we take our time with this project, make sure there are no unintended consequences and that the evidence of the ongoing trials continue to support the case for change.

"If that proves to be the case then we will look forward to seeing the new designs of hurdles and fences on racecourses, and hopefully further reducing our already declining faller rate."

Analysis

BBC horse racing correspondent Cornelius Lysaght

Welfare continues to be a major issue for the sport - more these days at the showpiece Cheltenham Festival following apparently successful alterations to the Grand National course - so this type of research showing that racing is being proactive on these matters is as important as it is - I think - fascinating.

For the time being, the changes are being trialled away from the racecourse, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time before they're visible on track.

Horse versus human eye...

The image shows how a horse sees yellow colours (top)
versus the shade a human sees (bottom)

Horse industry applauds success of
NEHS Survey

In its eighth and final year the annual National Equine Health Survey (NEHS) has confirmed its importance as an accurate tracker of endemic equine disease in the UK. The results of the 2018 survey remain consistent with previous survey results, providing a clear sense of what continues to affect the health of British horses year on year, helping equine specialists to benchmark and educate on current and predicted equine health priorities.

Pioneered by national pet charity, Blue Cross, in partnership with the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) NEHS's aim was to provide a landscape on horse health and welfare in the UK and the results over the years have certainly achieved this. 

Gemma Taylor, Education Officer at Blue Cross said: "Thanks to the loyal support of the UK's horse, pony, mule and donkey owners and keepers NEHS has achieved more than we ever imagined over the past eight years. 

"Our charity's history dates back to treating horses in WW1 and rescuing and rehabilitating hundreds to this very day. Blue Cross is extremely proud to have played an important part in developing NEHS into one of the most important endemic disease monitoring initiatives in the UK."

Leading equestrian organisations and riders have commended the value of the initiative. David Mountford, Chief Executive of BEVA said: "NEHS is now well recognised as an important benchmark for horse health and the results are cited regularly."

Gemma Stanford, Director of Welfare at the British Horse Society continued: "The BHS has been wholly supportive of this valuable survey since its inception. The information it has generated over the past eight years has been enlightening and gives all of us within the industry a valuable guide to the most significant endemic diseases affecting our horses today."

Mary King, Olympic three day eventer added: "The health and happiness of our equine population is of great importance to me, and Blue Cross's NEHS survey has helped us gain a true understanding of the state of our nation's horses to help improve their welfare."

NEHS was created in 2010 by Blue Cross, BEVA and Professor Josh Slater Professor of Equine Clinical Studies at the Royal Veterinary College and has been supported by the major UK equestrian organisations.

As a snapshot survey at community level NEHS has looked at the prevalence of the same disease syndromes during the same week of May every year. It has relied on survey feedback from thousands of UK horse owners and keepers and is the first time anyone has obtained data about what really affects the UK's horses from a community perspective.

The important information generated by NEHS has helped pinpoint trends in endemic equine diseases. The results are regularly referenced by vets and researchers as benchmarks for our general knowledge of horse health. The emerging patterns are now helping to steer equine awareness, education and research to help keep the nation's horses healthier.

This year a total of 5529 people took part and returned records for 13,873 horses. These figures are very similar to returns for previous years.

The results enable an initial breakdown into general disease syndromes and then a further breakdown into individual diseases. In each case the 2018 results for both were similar to previous years:

Professor Josh Slater said:" NEHS is a gamechanger that has proved its worth and has changed the landscape for endemic equine disease surveillance. It has demonstrated that it's possible to collect data at this level and the consistency has shown that the data is reliable. We now have a solid foundation that we never had before which tells us with confidence what the common problems affecting UK horses are."

While NEHS has now finished, survey participants who have confirmed interest in pursuing further equine health initiatives will have the opportunity to take part in new and exciting projects in the future.

Supporters of NEHS include the British Horse Society, Horse Trust, Redwings, WHW and the Pony Club. Dodson and Horrell kindly supported the initiative by helping Blue Cross cover the costs of running the scheme.

Horse sired by world's most expensive stud becomes one of the most expensive colts ever as it sells for £3.5 million

- The yearling's mother is Shastye, one of the world's most sought-after dams

- Irish team has snapped up the horse after facing off with Japanese trainer

- It is the joint second-highest priced cold ever sold in the whole of Europe

Details .....

Born with no legs: 'Look upon your abilities'.

"If I sit on a horse, I'm free". 

Born with no legs, Angelika Trabert is now a medal-winning Paralympian - and an anaesthetist. Her motto is "it's ability, not disability, that counts"

Equine charities at UN to highlight vital contribution of working horses, donkeys and mules in achieving UN Goals

Photo left to right: Jessica Stark, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, World Horse Welfare, Roly Owers, CEO World Horse Welfare, Mike Baker, CEO, The Donkey Sanctuary, Ian Cawsey, UN Ambassador, The Donkey Sanctuary, Valentina Riva, Advocacy Manager, The Donkey Sanctuary.

The Donkey Sanctuary and World Horse Welfare held high-level talks at the UN General Assembly this week to highlight the vital contribution of working horses, donkeys and mules in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - and therefore greater emphasis must be placed on their health and welfare.

The leading equine welfare charities held meetings with member states, UN Departments and other civil society partners to establish a core team of UN Member States, networks and organisations to help champion the importance of horses, donkeys and mules to the livelihoods of 600 million people worldwide and the need to provide better support for their health and welfare. 

The Donkey Sanctuary CEO, Mike Baker, explains:

"This is an exciting development in our UN engagement; the General Assembly is the large forum where governments from across the world meet together to thrash out issues. We are there to ensure the voices of millions of donkeys, mules and horses do not go unheard."

The UN SDGs are a bold commitment to end hunger, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Projects are aimed at eliminating poverty worldwide as well as ensuring access to clean water, sanitation and decent work opportunities to encourage economic growth. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the successor to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which applied only to the developing world. These new goals run from 2015 to 2030 and are due for review in 2019 when the agenda for work over the next five years will be set. Ian Cawsey, The Donkey Sanctuary UN Ambassador, said:

"This year advocacy teams at The Donkey Sanctuary and World Horse Welfare have worked together to show how the bold ambitions of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be assisted by working with communities to care for and protect their working animals. We all want less poverty and less hunger but we are showing that improving the welfare of the working donkeys, mules and horses is not an optional extra but an integral part of making that happen."

World Horse Welfare Chief Executive, Roly Owers, added:

"We are delighted that so many countries where working equines are visible immediately recognised their value to the SDG's once we highlighted the link.  They know that for many of the poorest communities, the only way to sustain their families is through the transport and traction provided by their horses, donkeys or mules.  Better caring for these animals to protect their ability to make a living, earn more and access water and markets for their goods, as well as education for their children, is therefore essential for sustainable development to take place."

Mike Baker confirmed:

"This is a crucial time and a fantastic opportunity for us. It is only recently the UN General Assembly for the first time agreed language on the need to protect working animals which was a fantastic step forward. Now we have to persuade them to turn words into action and we will work tirelessly to ensure donkeys, mules and horses everywhere have their voices heard as we work with our partners to make this a reality."

During a lunch hosted by the International Fund for Agricultural Development at the UN headquarters in New York, The Donkey Sanctuary CEO Mike Baker and World Horse Welfare CEO Roly Owers greeted guests from across the UN, Africa and civil society organisations Others at the lunch included UNDESA, UN diplomats from Senegal, Kenya, Nigeria, and Egypt, plus representatives from the UN Food and Agriculture Cluster, the Tellus Institute, the Stakeholder Forum, Thinking Animals United and CIVICUS. Felix Dodds from the University of North Carolina said:

"Development aspirations of SDGs will not be realised if animals are not part of the equation."

After all the meetings, Mike Baker concluded:

"We share a passion with our colleagues at World Horse Welfare to ensure as many working donkeys, horses and mules as possible get the care and welfare they need. We deliver that ourselves every day to thousands of equids but across the world there are many millions who need more protection. We cannot do this alone. We need to persuade others that this is something they should do and moreover it is in their interest to do. What was striking in our meetings at the UN was whilst people agreed with us they had not really considered the issue previously and wanted to learn more. So there is an opportunity and we will be following up these very encouraging conversations to build the partnerships that can build a better world for working equids far beyond the limitations of our own organisations." 

Sean Jeffs receives ' Master Saddle Maker' title

A prestigious new category recognising the considerable skill and knowledge held by saddlers throughout Walsall has gained its first recipient.

The Society of Master Saddlers' 'Master Saddle Maker' title has been awarded to longstanding industry expert, Sean Jeffs of Vale Brothers.

Sean has worked for the Walsall-based business for 11 years after they bought the Harry Dabbs saddlery brand where he had been employed for many years previously.

Now factory manager at Vale Brothers, Sean has spent much of his working life as a bench saddler and is also an SMS Qualified Saddle Fitter.

As a specialist in the design and manufacture of saddles. Sean was keen to gain the Master Saddle Maker qualification which involves a five hour trade test for the candidate to demonstrate the necessary saddle making skills and gain the SMS Flocking qualification.

In gaining the Master Saddle Maker title, Sean was required to make one saddle and to part complete a second saddle at an approved test centre.

 "I am delighted to be the first Walsall-based saddle to gain the standard and would encourage all other bench saddlers to work towards taking the test," said Sean.

"It really does demonstrate our commitment to the industry, the skills and knowledge that we have gained over many years and is something we should be very proud to achieve.

"As part of the Society of Master Saddlers' efforts to work more closely with the skilled craftspeople of Walsall everyone with the necessary skills and experience should be looking to achieve the Master Saddle Maker title."

Adds Society of Master Saddlers' Chief Executive, Hazel Morley: "After his many years' experience in the saddlery world and especially as a very knowledgeable bench saddler focused on making saddles, Sean is a very worthy first recipient of the status.

"The initial idea behind the category was to reward and recognise those saddlers who focus mainly on saddles rather than across all saddlery including bridles and other leather work.

"We would be delighted to hear from saddlers wanting to take the test and who feel they fulfil the criteria."

For more information visit www.mastersaddlers.co.uk or contact The Society of Master Saddlers on 01449 711642.   

Pippa Funnell 

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