title: Exploring trainers’ decision-making in equine health and welfare in Dubai: a qualitative investigation of the management of flat racing horses
Creators: name: Al Mheiri, Hesa
Publisher: name: University of Liverpool Repository
Year: 2023

description: Abstract Exploring trainers’ decision-making in equine health and welfare in Dubai: a qualitative investigation of the management of flat racing horses Flat racing is one of the most famous equine sports in UAE (United Arab Emirates). However, there has been little research to date on how trainers manage their horses, their relationship with owners, or their relationship with veterinarians. Increasingly the public is voicing its opinion around the use of animals in sport, viewed under the umbrella of ‘Social License to Operate’ (SLO). Thoroughbred (Tb) horseracing has recently come under greater scrutiny across the globe as social media has turned a spotlight upon its practices. In the past, welfare concerns have focused on issues such as ‘wastage’, prolonged rest or premature retirement of Tb horses from racing. However, welfare also relates to the ability of the Tb horse to adapt to the managed environment and workload associated with racing performance. This study was designed to examine how racehorse trainers and veterinarians in Dubai considered the welfare of the Tb horses in the context of flat racing performance. This research gathered data using in-depth interviews from 5 flat racehorse trainers, and 3 veterinarians who worked with racehorses in Dubai. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Trainers described their passion for horses and Tb horseracing and how they had learned their trade by observing and learning from other trainers. They had not undergone formal training nor was a science-based approach to training discussed. Trainers lived within the rules and regulations of racing in the UAE, but this framed their understanding of equine welfare issues being faced by Tb racehorses. All the trainers emphasised the effort invested in meeting key equine welfare needs in health and nutrition welfare domains. The environment domain was discussed in the context of challenges they faced training Tb racehorses in a hot and humid climate. The resultant short racing season in Dubai and welfare challenges this presented was also a focus of discussion by both groups. While trainers acknowledged the possibility of tensions between a horse’s welfare and its performance, trainers consistently reported that the goal of winning was best met by providing a horse with optimal care. The role of owners in relation to a horse’s welfare was less easy to discern. The importance of good preventive health care, team-working and early detection of illness or injury were considered to be key to optimising Tb racehorse welfare. Issues relating to the welfare needs of the horse in the behaviour and mental domains were rarely discussed. The welfare of the horse once its racing career had ended was the subject of much discussion by trainers and how they attempted to find ‘good homes’ once horses left their care. The results of my study provide an insight on how Tb racehorse trainers and veterinarians in Dubai consider welfare in the context of flat racing. Continuous professional development (CPD) of UAE racehorse trainers could broaden awareness and discussion around Tb racehorse welfare and science-based approaches to training. Welfare concerns 5 related to retirement from racing and traceability of horses are areas that ERA and Tb racing stakeholders in the UAE could seek to improve.