BHA unveils eight videos to showcase importance sport places on equine welfare

Eight new videos showcasing how racehorses receive the highest standards of care during, and after, racing have been released by the BHA to demonstrate how seriously equine welfare is taken by the sport.

The series of videos have been made available on social media and will also be broadcast at tracks so as to better inform racegoers.

Cheltenham Festival-winning rider Tom Scudamore and BHA vet Sally Taylor star in the videos, addressing the most frequently asked questions about equine welfare in racing.

Scudamore said: “I was pleased to be able to take part in these videos. I feel very passionately about what I do and about the close connection I have with the horses that I ride. I want to be able to help share that message and show the public that the horses are the most important part of this sport for everyone who works in it.”

The videos cover welfare topics ranging from the use of the whip to the importance of racing in society.

Taylor added: “While everyone who works in British racing is aware of the remarkably high welfare standards that exist within the sport, it is not necessarily the case that everyone who visits racecourses has full knowledge or understanding of just how well cared for our horses are, and what lengths the sport goes to in order to keep them safe.

“As a vet I can say with confidence that racehorses are extremely well cared for. Over 5.6 million people visited British racetracks in 2019 – these videos are designed to inform and educate those racegoers about the lives that racehorses lead.”

The videos, funded by the Horse Comes First project, will be played out on big screens across British racecourses, including at Carlisle, Lingfield and Kempton Park on Monday.

Watch the videos here

What is the life of a racehorse like?

Is it fair to ask horses to race?

How does racing benefit the horse and wider society?

How much importance does racing place on horse welfare?

What does the sport do to make racing as safe as possible?

What happens if a horse falls?

What is a whip and why is it used?

What happens to horses when they finish racing?

Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com