Former veterinary president Barry Johnson to chair new Horse Welfare Board

Barry Johnson, the former president of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, has been appointed independent chair of a new Horse Welfare Board set up by the BHA.

The board, which has been in gestation for six months, aims to create a new welfare strategy covering the whole industry.

Its creation comes at a time when tension has risen between trainers and the governing body over equine welfare issues.

Johnson, who was also a past chairman of World Horse Welfare, said: “I’m very pleased to have been asked by racing to take on this role and by the sport’s commitment to continuous improvement in the welfare of racehorses.

"I look forward to working with all those who want to play their part in enhancing the lives of racehorses and in making the sport as safe as possible.

"I want to start by listening widely to those who work directly with horses in our industry as their experience and skills will be vital in shaping a new horse welfare strategy.”

The board, which will also include the Horsemen’s Group, the Racecourse Association and the BHA’s director of equine health and welfare, Dr David Sykes, is likely to make initial recommendations by the end of the year.

Nick Rust, BHA chief executive, said: “The public has seen recently during the influenza outbreak how racing acts with great care and professionalism to manage the risk to racehorses.

"I expect the strategy to set out our ambition for bringing the same level of focus at all stages of the racehorse’s life and explaining this collectively and confidently to outside audiences.”

The board is aiming to set out its thinking for the future of horse welfare in racing later this year and to make initial recommendations by the end of 2019.

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